Project Description:
This support opportunity is expected to bolster the 4 steps of early identification of developmental delays and disabilities, including the first step of parent-engaged developmental moitoring. A needs assessment should identify CURRENT barriers and opportunities across various early childhood systems/programs to improve each of the 4 steps of early identification, and a resulting plan should be developed, implemented, and evaluated to ameliorate barriers and realize opportunities for improvement in targeted systems/programs.
Additionally, this grant should advance the promotion and distribution of existing, relevant tools, materials, and programs to improve resiliency among families with young children during COVID-19 response and mitigation efforts. Though best defined as part of the needs assessment, resiliency promotion is likely to include the promotion of CDC and CDC partner resources to improve social determinants of health such as parental mental health, food security, parenting support, affordable quality childcare, medical home, and engagement and empowerment of families through information on early childhood and navigation of systems of care.
Goals:
1. Develop and Coordinate an Act Early Ambassador-Led Team of Key Stakeholders
2. ENGAGE THE STATE/TERRITORIAL TEAM IN CONDUCTING A NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO IDENTIFY CURRENT (DURING COVID-19) BARRIERS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO THE 4 KEY STEPS OF EARLY IDENTIFICATION: (1) PARENT-ENGAGED DEVELOPMENTAL MONITORING, (2) DEVELOPMENTAL AND AUTISM SCREENING, (3) REFERRAL, AND (4) RECEIPT OF EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN BIRTH TO 5, ACROSS EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEMS
3. DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND EVALUATE A PLAN TO ADDRESS THE IDENTIFIED BARRIERS AND REALIZE THE IDENTIFIED OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO THE FIRST STEP (PARENT-ENGAGED DEVELOPMENTAL MONITORING) AND ANY OF THE ADDITIONAL 3 STEPS OF EARLY IDENTIFICATION
4. IDENTIFY, IMPLEMENT, AND EVALUATE STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE RESILIENCY OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN (BIRTH TO AGE 5) AND THEIR FAMILIES BY:
5. SUPPORTING WELL-CHILD CARE, DEVELOPMENTAL PROMOTION, EARLY DETECTION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY, TIMELY REFERRAL, AND CONNECTION TO EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES, LINKAGES TO SERVICES (E.G., WIC) FOR FAMILY SUPPORT, AND
6. ADVANCING THE PROMOTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF RELEVANT, EXISTING CDC AND CDC PARTNER TOOLS, MATERIALS, AND PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE RESILIENCY AMONG FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN DURING COVID-19 RESPONSE AND MITIGATION EFFORTS
Keyword(s):
Covid, covid-19, learn the signs, resiliency
