The Importance of Early Identification and Intervention for Child Welfare
Developmental Delays in Child Welfare
The multitude of risk factors which bring children to the attention of child welfare such as: poverty, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health status, parenting skills, etc. also place children at risk for developmental delays. Children under three years of age in the child welfare system who have been maltreated are at a substantial risk for experiencing developmental problems (Cooper et al., 2010). These delays can impact school readiness, relationships, and emotional health which can, in turn, affect family or placement stability, reunification, and overall outcomes for the child. Having a developmental delay or disability is also a factor that increases the risk for child abuse and neglect because of the higher emotional, physical, economic, and social demands on families to meet the needs of these children. Children with disabilities are affected by child abuse and neglect at a rate at least three times higher than the typically developing population (Legano et al., 2021).
Early Intervention
The earlier the intervention the better the long-term outcomes are for a child’s future learning, behavior and health. Interventions can begin with monitoring a child’s development to see how a child grows and changes over time and whether they meet typical developmental milestones in learning, speaking, behaving, and moving. Developmental monitoring can be done by a parent or caregiver. Developmental screening is usually done at 9, 18, and 30 months of age by a healthcare provider and is the standard method to assessing children for delays. Developmental screening tools, which are quickly administered questions or activities, are used to evaluate a child's development and whether further evaluation by a medical professional is needed. A developmental evaluation should be done whenever there is a concern and can help with identifying and diagnosing developmental delays. Results from a developmental evaluation are used to determine a child’s eligibility for early intervention services.
Early Start is California's early intervention program for infants and toddlers, from birth through 36 months of age, with disabilities and their families. Early intervention services can help infants and toddlers with disabilities or delays to learn important skills and catch up in their development. Early intervention may include home visits, assistance with service coordination, assistive technology, and occupational, physical, or speech therapy. The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) oversees the coordination and provision of services and supports for most Early Start infants and toddlers. Early Start services are available statewide and are provided in a coordinated, family-centered system and may be accessed through regional centers and local educational agencies. California has 21 regional centers, which provide a multitude of services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Learn more about Early Start here.
Early Start Family Resource Centers (FRC) support caregivers, families, and children with getting information about early intervention services and how to navigate the Early Start system. FRC’s offer parent to parent support, assistance with transition from Early Start at age three, and more. For further information regarding FRCs visit the Family Resource Center Network of California.
References:
Cooper, J. L., Banghart, P., Aratani, Y. (September 2010). Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Young Children in the Child Welfare System What Every Policymaker Should Know. National Center for Children in Poverty. https://www.nccp.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/text_968.pdf
Legano, L.A., Desch, L. W., Messner, S. A., Idzerda, S., Flaherty, E. G., Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, Council on Children with Disabilities. (2021, May 5). Maltreatment of Children with Disabilities. Pediatrics, 147 (5), 402.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33875536/