Overview

First Steps’ Early identification and Referral (EI&R) programs serve families with young children with suspected delays in development and coordinates public awareness for BabyNet services, acting as a local portal to connect families to community-based services they may need or desire to ensure the school readiness of their children.

  • Provides early detection of developmental delays and health issues.
  • Promotes services and activities that promote child development.
  • Increases children’s school readiness and school success.

Components

  • Screenings (developmental, vision, hearing) for children ages birth to 5 years with suspected delays in development.
  • Referrals, based upon the screening results, to appropriate community resources.  this could include the local BabyNet System Point of Entry office, the local school district, and/or support services such as speech therapy, physical therapy, and programs in libraries and other community resources.
  • Parent information includes strategies to monitor growth and development.

Recent successes include:

  • Screened 77 children using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire.
  • Referred 58 families to community resources after screening indicated needs.