Improving Child Find Services in Rural Communities

U.S. Office of Special Education Programs

Overview of DCCP

Nationally Level of Children served leveled off Nationally Level of Children served leveled off unexpectedly.unexpectedly.

Child find was a concern when Montana went Child find was a concern when Montana went through Part C Federal Monitoring.through Part C Federal Monitoring.

The Dynamic Community Connections Project was developed to The Dynamic Community Connections Project was developed to enhance public awareness and the referral process for early enhance public awareness and the referral process for early intervention services for young children with developmental intervention services for young children with developmental

delays and disabilities and their families in Montana. delays and disabilities and their families in Montana. 

WhyWhyWhyWhy

Part C Requirements for Statewide System

“(5) A comprehensive child find system, consistent with part B, including a system for making referrals to service providers that includes timelines and provides for participation by primary referral sources.

“(6) A public awareness program focusing on early identification of infants and toddlers with disabilities, including the preparation and dissemination by the lead agency designated or established under paragraph (10) to all primary referral sources, especially hospitals and physicians, of information for parents on the availability of early intervention services, and procedures for determining the extent to which such sources disseminate such information to parents of infants and toddlers.

WhyWhyWhyWhy

Public Awareness ProgramPublic Awareness Program

Each system must include a public awareness program that focuses on the early identification of children who are eligible to receive early intervention services under this part and includes the preparation and dissemination by the lead agency to all primary referral sources, especially hospitals and physicians, of materials for parents on the availability or early intervention services. The public awareness program must provide for informing the public about -

(a) The State’s Early Intervention (EI) program;(b) The child find system

1) Purpose and scope2) Making referrals3) Gaining access to evaluations and other EI services

(c) The central directoryNote 1: Effective public awareness programs1. Are a continuous, ongoing effort…throughout the

state…including rural areas.2. Provides for the involvement/communication with,

major organizations throughout the State that have a direct interest…

3. Reaches the general public….4. Includes a variety of methods for informing the public…

Public Awareness Program, cont...

Comprehensive Child Find SystemComprehensive Child Find System

(a) (1) Each system must include a comprehensive child find system that is consistent with part B of the Act…

(b) (1) All infants and toddlers in the State who are eligible for services under this part are identified, located, and evaluated..

(c) …coordinated with all other major efforts to locate and identify children conducted by other State agencies responsible for the various education, health, and social service programs,…tribes and tribal organizations….

i. Programs authorized under Part Bii. Maternal and Child Health programsiii. Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment

programiv. Developmental Disabilities Assistancev. Head Startvi. Supplemental Security Income Program

Comprehensive Child Find System, cont…

(d) Referral procedures. (1) The child find system must include procedures for use by primary referral sources for referring a child to the appropriate public agency within the system…(2) to ensure that referrals are made no more than two working days after a child has been identified(3) Primary Referral Sources include

i. Hospitals, including prenatal/postnatal care facilitiesii. Physiciansiii. Parentsiv. Day care programsv. Local education agenciesvi. Public health facilitiesvii. Other social service agenciesviii. Other health care providers

Part B Public Law Regarding Child findPart B Public Law Regarding Child find

“(3) Child Find. (A) All children with disabilities residing in the State, including children with disabilities attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated and a practical method is developed and implemented to determine which children with disabilities are currently receiving needed special education and related services.

300.125 Child find. (a)(1)(i) Highly mobile children with disabilities(such as migrant and homeless children*)… (* Native American population)

Foundations & Outcomes

Individualized for Local Areas

WhatWhatWhatWhat

Rural Areas are Unique

Parents as Partners is Essential

Key Foundations…

Foundations & Outcomes

Increased # of children served Increased # of children referred Increased # and proportion of infants (0-1 year) served Increased collaboration among local health, human services, education and child care programs

WhatWhatWhatWhat

Key Outcomes…

Resources Developed

• Manual• Guides Agencies through the process

• Website • Resource Library• Survey Results from other States• Links to useful websites

• Technical Assistance• On-site visits

HowHowHowHow

Local Projects

• Quality Life Concepts – Hill County• Vicki Pfieffer & Bobbi Bevars

• DEAP – Dawson County • Jim Devine

• Hi-Line Home Programs - Wolf Point • Terri Sisson

HowHowHowHow

HillCo Child Find would like to increase public awareness of our services in order to enhance opportunities for children (birth to three) and their families.

This project is funded with funds from a grant awarded to the University of Montana by the U.S. Department of Education, and any statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the above funding source.

1. An increased number of children referred to Early Intervention Services by community referral resources. 240% Increase

2. An increased number of children served under Part C Early Intervention. 13% Increase

3. An increased number of proportion of infants (birth to one year) served under Part C. 18% Increase

4. Increased collaboration linkages and efforts among local health, human service, education and child care providers. 100% Increase

What we did.

*Teamed with Chippewa-Cree Health Services, Child Care Link, Hill County Health, and two parents.

*Gave formal presentations to other child service providers

*Provided information and give-aways at multiple fairs (Health Fairs, Children’s Festival, County Fair)

*Newsletter and local community newspaper articles

*Posters hung in community businesses families utilize

*Magnets given to daycare providers to pass on to families

Our mission statement:HillCo child Find would like to increase public awareness of our services in order

to enhance opportunities for children (birth to age three) and their f amilies.

We serve Hill County and surrounding areas to help you help your child develop tohis or her highest potential. If you have questions and/ or concerns about yourchild's development, this program is here to help you f ind the resources and

support that are here in our community.

You may callQuality Life Concepts, I nc --265-2620

Hill County health Department -- 265-5481 orChippawa Cree Health Services -- 395-4486

HRDC/ Child Care Link -- 265-6743

Our Poster

Promotional

Items

Successes

*Met all outcomes in first year and seeing additional increases in second year!!

*Team rapport with strong buy-in in collaboration.

*Give-away success: Magnets a HUGE success, jar openers coming in second. These brought potential referral sources (parents and professionals) to the booth who may not otherwise have stopped.

In Vain

* Mirrors “cracked” as a promotional item. Only one really interested in them: The guy wanted two to use to check car parts from underneath his vehicle.

Mission Statement The Community Team would like to increase the

general knowledge of the public about our agencies and the services we provide to families and to collaborate with each other to create an across agency child find and referral process.

Radio and TV PSA’s

Newspaper Advertisement

Additional Childfind

Early Childhood Intervention Brochure

Current Activities

more…

Developmental Wheel

Newsletter Press Release

Newspaper Press Release

Created a Slogan

Current Activities

Public Awareness Materials

Project’s Outcomes

Increase in Referrals

Increase in Number of children served

Increase in Number of Infants served

Increase in Referral Sources

more…

Project’s Outcomes

Medical and Health Care Field

Radio and TV stations

Elementary School and Head Start

Parents to Childcare Providers

Collaboration

Child Find Projects National Website

• www.childfindidea.org

• OSEP Directed Child Find Projects

• Links to Child Find and other EI Resources