Sprouts Child Development Initiative

The challenge: identifying and responding to developmental delays. Evidence supporting the earliest identification and intervention possible, to address the needs of young children with developmental delays, is clear and unequivocal. Early intervention has a profound impact on quality of life for children and their families; the key to success, however, is early identification through screening and assessment. Absent these vital services, from birth to age five, children frequently enter school requiring more intensive and costly support, and rarely if ever catch up to their peers. Nationally, easter seals estimates that of the five million children under age five at risk for developmental delay, only one million are identified and receive needed early intervention services prior to entering school. Generally, only those under age five with the highest need, who meet federal idea (individuals with disabilities education act) criteria (a 25% delay in 2 or more areas of Development or a 50% delay in one area), receive services through the public-school system. In many states, Oklahoma included, children whose needs are identified, but fall anywhere below these strict criteria; receive nothing. Those children, who are the majority, still desperately need intervention and absent treatment fall further and further behind. Additionally, the american academy of pediatrics recommends regular developmental screening during a Child's first 5 years, to quickly identify any potential developmental concerns that need to be addressed. However, according to the annie e. casey foundation due to time constraints and low reimbursement, across the us only 30% of pediatricians or family practice doctors screen routinely. In Oklahoma, only 28% of children receive developmental screening before entering school. Whether families qualify for public or accesses private services, early screening and diagnosis are crucial. The solution: Sprouts Child Development. Sprouts Child Development's (Sprouts) developmental screening, assessment, referral and case management model is focused on ensuring the needs of each Child and his or her family are met, long term. Sprouts is unique because it does not rely on idea criteria or funding to serve a Child, nor does the family have to meet federal poverty guidelines, as they do for federally funded programs. The main point of entry into the Sprouts program is the online ages and stages questionnaire (asq) developmental screening, filled out by a parent or caregiver and available to anyone in tulsa county and surrounding areas. When screening results indicate developmental concerns the Sprouts team of highly skilled clinicians make contact with the family, then provides the next level of assessment when indicated. Then, working closely with the family and their Child's physician, Sprouts clinicians assist the family in finding the best option for intervention services in the community. The Initiative also includes a community organization component that enables Sprouts to partner with multiple young Child serving resources (schools, head start, Child care programs, health services, family support services, etc.) To engage a broad array of caregivers to promote and use Sprouts' assessment and referral services in a growing early intervention network.