Developmental Monitoring within State Systems Learn the Signs Act Early

2018

Need The extreme needs of New Mexico families and children are well-documented. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation 2013 KIDS COUNT Data Book, New Mexico ranks 50th in the nation for child wellbeing based on 16 indicators, with over half of the indicators worsening or remaining unchanged within the last year. Almost all of New Mexico can be categorized as an area of persistent poverty. Children with risk factors, such as living in low-income households, abuse or neglect, prenatal exposure to alcohol or other substances, and low parental education, have a higher incidence of developmental delays and disabilities than the general population. Disparities emerge as early as 9 months and widen by 24 months of age. Meanwhile, only 37 percent of parents of children under six in New Mexico reported that their child had received a developmental screening from a medical professional. State-funded early childhood programs and pediatric health services are administered through multiple state agencies often with differing policies and practices. There is an urgent need in New Mexico for a well-coordinated system of developmental screening practice across health and early childhood professionals leading to the early detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental delays and the linkage of parents and their children to appropriate evaluation and intervention services. The New Mexico Act Early Partnership is working to establish a universal statewide system of developmental and behavioral screening early and regularly for all young children in New Mexico Goals and Objectives The New Mexico Act Early Partnership will leverage policy and funding opportunities to develop a plan for an integrated system of developmental and behavioral screening and early linkage to services for children and families. Objectives: 1. Operate the New Mexico Act Early State Systems Team. 2. Education, outreach and dissemination of relevant materials. 3. Quality Improvement programs to with Primary Care Practices throughout state to increase the fidelity of screening. 4. Policy and advocacy work. 5. Research and development. Unusual Factors The New Mexico Act Early Partnership builds relationships across nearly all sectors in the state: state agencies, non-profit organizations, academic settings, primary care providers in private practice including pediatric and family medicine physicians, early intervention, child care providers, early childhood special education professionals, administrators and the business community. Expected Benefits We expect the NM Act Early Partnership to improve the early detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental conditions to ensure early and appropriate access to services for children and their families.

Developmental Screening, milestones, early detection, early identification

Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training, Other Direct/Model Services

Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities

Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Empowerment Zone, Reservation, Rural/Remote, Urban

Single-County, Mulit-County, State, Regional, National, International

Federal

N/A