Learn the Signs.Act Early. (LTSAE)
Project Description:
Learn the Signs. Act Early. is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program that aims to improve early identification of developmental delays and disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), promoting the adoption and sustained integration of developmental monitoring using Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestone checklist resources in programs/systems that serve young children and their families (e.g. WIC, home visiting, child welfare, early care and education, etc.); serving as a state or territorial representative of the national LTSAE program; and supporting the work of Act Early Teams and other state or national initiatives to improve early identification of developmental delay and disability. The program includes a health education campaign, the Act Early initiative, and research and evaluation activities. The UConn UCEDD hosts the CT Act Early Ambassador, who helps to coordinate Learn the Signs. Act Early. events and training throughout the state. Current objectives of the program include 1) Partner with CT Read to Grow, Connecticut's state literacy program, to distribute Learn the Signs. Act Early. (LTSAE) materials to newborn families through the "Books for Babies" program. Leverage the Book Mobile, which travels across Connecticut, to share LTSAE resources along with books for children in communities. Families enrolled in the Books for Kids program email service will receive a digital link to the LTSAE website, providing access to developmental materials and resources, 2) Work with Medical Schools and Nurse Practitioner to incorporate Learn the Signs Act Early training in their curriculum to ensure our future pediatricians can identify developmental milestones, how to talk to families about developmental concerns and where can referrals be made, and 3) Maintain the use of our CT Help Me Grow Advisory Committee to support ongoing strategic planning, integration of LTSAE materials and coordination of screening initiatives throughout Connecticut. The expectation for this project is that more infants and young children will be identified for further assessment and diagnosis of disability, and more families will be aware of their child's development and developmental enhancing activities they can implement with their child.
Keyword(s):
Mental/Behavioral Health – Autism, Developmental Disabilities, Early Childhood – Developmental Health (including developmental screening), Early Childhood – General, Emergency Services for Children – General, Health Equity, Maternal Health – General, Medical Home, Early Childhood – Newborn Screening, Preventive Services, Social Determinants of Health, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Special Health Care Needs, LTSAE
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other - Leadership
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County, Mulit-County, State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
