ECHO: Disability Awareness & Intervention
Project Description:
The Disability Awareness & Intervention ECHO is a new statewide professional development network designed to build the capacity of early childhood providers, healthcare professionals, and community-based practitioners to better identify, support, and serve young children with developmental delays and disabilities. Using the Project ECHO® model—an evidence-based "moving knowledge, not people" approach—this network delivers free, virtual, high-quality training to professionals across Utah.
Why This Network Is Needed
Utah is home to an estimated 75,000–100,000 children under age eight who may experience developmental delays or disabilities, yet many are not identified until later childhood, missing opportunities for early intervention. Workforce challenges—including limited training, high turnover, and insufficient access to disability‑focused professional development—further widen gaps in early identification, particularly for rural and undeserved communities. The Disability Awareness & Intervention ECHO directly addresses these disparities by providing accessible, ongoing learning opportunities that strengthen skills in developmental monitoring, screening, referrals, and coordinated support.
Our Vision
By empowering Utah's early childhood and health workforce, the Disability Awareness & Intervention ECHO will help ensure that all children with disabilities—and their families—receive timely, equitable, and high‑quality support. This network strengthens the foundation of Utah's early childhood system and builds long-term capacity for inclusive, community-based care.
Keyword(s):
Developmental Disabilities, Early Childhood – Developmental Health (including developmental screening), Early Childhood – General, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Special Health Care Needs
Core Function(s):
Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
