1. Something for Everyone: CT’s Help Me Grow System Karen Foley-Schain Marcia Hughes Dierdre Hubbs Luz Rivera National Help Me Grow Forum May 4, 2011

2. What is the CT Help Me Grow System? Identifies Developmental Concerns Connects children and families to services How does this happen? Families and providers call the Child Development Infoline: 1-800-505-7000

3. What you will hear about CT Help Me Grow Needs that children have Families that call for services How families are connected to services Partners and building the system Screening: Ages & Stages Questionnaire New developments

4. Wide range of needs 2008-2009: ~ 3,000 CT people call Help Me Grow Information/assistance with connecting to service Developmental, health or behavior problem that does not fit eligibility criteria Programs for healthy development - universal Multiple, overlapping needs Case examples

5. Sensitivity to Family Stressors No support system Affect ability to work Single parents Cultural/language barrier Grandparents raising grandchildren Cognitive challenges Health of other family members Unsafe/poor housing

6. Identifying the Need: 2008-2009 (25%) service need (medical Home) (27%) related to a specific disability (20%) program information (38%) developmental concern (16%) follow-up on B-3 referral/status (18%) educational concerns (8%) evaluation (spec.ed) (12%) “basic” needs (11%) seeking socialization programs (14%) child had a social/emotional issue (11%) parenting or family issues (30%) evaluation (spec.ed) (82%) Program Information (7%) specific service need Multiple, overlapping needs (n=1834) Info & Edu on Part B & Part C (n=1164)

7. Analysis by the 5 Connecticuts: 2008-2009 % of Families Residing in the 5 Town Groups Help Me Grow Compared w/ State Population 5.7 calls 7.2 calls 5.8 calls 5.7 calls 4.2 calls

8. Navigating the systems Early Intervention, CYSHCNs, Spec Education Pediatric care Non-profit, community-based programs & services Early care, education and school programs Basic needs Recreational programs Informal services

9. Intake: Assessment of Family Needs Callers: parents, family members, doctors, specialists 3 rd party callers Gather child’s demographic information Talk about the concern Also assess other needs – Insurance, other siblings, other parent, supports, what has been tried already Research services in families community Contact resources: verify information Give information to parents over phone and mail Follow up within 2 weeks

10. Making the Connection How is this similar to your Help Me Grow efforts?

11. Community Outreach Support providers in identifying developmental concerns & connect families & children to services – Statewide networking meetings – Listserve: share and disseminate information – Trainings

12. Statewide Network Meetings: Education on programs and services 42 Meetings per year 7 Communities, every region of the state, urban, rural, suburban Partners: Local community organizations and existing collaboratives Attendees: Front line staff

13. What happens at Network Meetings Community Presentations: – Existing programs, services, and resources Children’s Issues: – Learning, development, behaviors, physical and mental health Networking and problem solving Connecting back to Help Me Grow at Child Development Infoline Listserve: communication within communities

14. ASQ Training for the providers Purpose: Developmental screening using a standardized tool Trainings: – Pediatricians and other Health Care providers – Community-based providers – Early care and education – Head Start Programs

15. Ages & Stages Parent-Child Interactive tool For parents and providers Monitor children’s development Identify developmental concerns When there’s a concern, Help Me Grow/CDI can help

16. Trivia of Ages/Pursuit of Stages What do you know about children’s developmental milestones?

17. What is the CT Help Me Grow system? Identifies Developmental Concerns Connects children and families to services How does this happen? Families and providers call the Child Development Infoline: 1-800-505-7000

18. Help Me Grow Referrals: 2008-2009 TOTAL # OF REFERRALS: 4,119 50% with follow up information

19. Help Me Grow outcomes: 2008-2009 Comparison of Outcomes between the "Five Connecticuts”

20. Help Me Grow is growing Local pilot: Hartford ChildServe Statewide: Connecticut Help Me Grow Help Me Grow National Center