Early Childhood Information Sharing Toolkit for Community Providers June 2009

Overview Why do we need this website Intended users of this website How can this website help you communicate developmental concerns with other community providers? How can this website help you coordinate other types of care and services for young children Additional Resources Feedback: Let us know how its working

Why do we need this website? Too many children with developmental risks or delays are not identified early enough Many children and families with known risks and delays do not receive timely services and support Failure to identify children and intervene early has short term and long term consequences Short term: delays in speech, growth, and school readiness Long term: school failure and adverse adult health outcomes

Why do we need this website? Any community provider or agency may be the 1 st resource families turn to when there is a behavioral or developmental concern Often times agencies/providers have useful and insightful observations about a child’s health and development Community providers may face challenges in: making referrals determining what information should be included in a referral how to follow-up on a referral

Why do we need this website? An easy method to communicate observations or concerns with other community providers is currently lacking Any community provider should have the resources and tools to share relevant health and developmental information with other early childhood providers in the community

Intended Users Any provider or agency that provides services to young children and/or their parents Links for the common agencies that interact with children and families were created to make the website user friendly The website is not intended for parents although some of the tools are useful for both providers and parents

Communicating developmental concerns with community providers Find and click on your specific sector/agency on the homepage There is background information available that explains how to use each tool Download any of the tools and use them when you work with families The next few slides will give you an example of how to use the tools when working with young children and families.

Communicating developmental concerns with community providers Referral tool Use this tool to document and share your developmental concerns with other community providers (M.D.’s, Regional centers, ECE’s, Child Welfare, etc) The referral tool has check boxes for common behavioral and developmental concerns to easily document and communicate your concerns The referral tool has a place for you to write-in any additional information you may find important to communicate *The referral tool should only be used with the consent tool as it is necessary to obtain parental permission to share concerns with other community providers

Communicating developmental concerns with community providers Consent Tool  Parental signature on the consent tool can allow providers to share important information that may help a child receive support and services from other community providers (M.D.s, Regional centers, WIC, etc) The consent tool has various check boxes where parents can indicate what information can be released (school records, medical information, family information, etc.)  The consent tool is easy to use and has sections to identify the requesting agency and the providing agency

Communicating developmental concerns with community providers A Care Plan: Keeping Track of a Child’s Care Tool This tool can help providers and families understand the referral process by keeping phone numbers, contacts, next steps, and appointment dates in order. This tool can help the referring agency and other community providers stay informed about whom else is involved in a child’s care This tool can be used by providers to help parents prepare for upcoming visits and conversations with other community providers Depending on the family’s abilities to read and write it may be helpful to fill out some portions of the form with the family so they are prepared for referrals and upcoming visits

Communicating developmental concerns with community providers Action Plan: Understanding Your Child’s Visit Tool After an assessment, screen, or evaluation has been completed it can help parents and community providers keep track of any follow- up plan. It can help parents and any community provider know whether there has been an initiation of services It can help any community provider understand appointment information and services received by a child (when and where the child was seen). Can help parents and providers understand general results that require further follow-up

Communicating developmental concerns with community providers Individualized Education Plan Request Tool Can be used for children who are three years of age and older to help parents request special educational services for their child from a school  Only a parent can request an Individualized Education Plan but they can get assistance in requesting one  This form is one way to help support families with their request for an Individualized Education Plan. A professional with knowledge in child development can help determine whether an Individualized Education Plan should be requested for a child by a parent.

Communicating developmental concerns with community providers Requesting a copy of an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is a written plan for infants and toddlers from birth to three years of age who have a developmental delay or disability that details the early intervention services and supports a child will receive. Often times community providers (M.D.’s, S.W.’s, etc.) do not know what services and supports a child and family are receiving The IFSP can help providers with their care and management The IFSP Request Form can be used to request a copy of a child’s IFSP with parent consent

Coordinating care and services for young children All of the tools can be used even if there are no specific behavioral or developmental concerns These tools can also be used for community providers to share information about common young child/family needs such as: Family needs parenting classes Family needs help finding a health care provider for child

Coordinating care and services for young children Referral Tool Has check-off boxes for commonly needed services and an area for you to write in a service if it is not listed in the boxes Consent Tool Can be used to obtain parental permission in sharing information about child or needed services Parent Information Sheet: Keeping Track of Your Child’s Care Tool Can be used as described before to help you track other services (help you and parent understand appointment dates for well-child visits, next steps in securing parenting classes, etc.) Action Plan: Understanding Your Child’s Visit Tool Can be used as described before to understand a follow-up plan (was family seen at the family resource center, when does child have another appointment with their medical provider, etc)

Additional Resources You can learn more about developmental screening by clicking on the link to the California Developmental Check-up Website understanding developmental check-ups choosing a good screening tool Additional resources and links are also available on the website Links to early childhood resources Links to family resources

Your Feedback is Critical Our goal is to develop a standard set of tools that any community provider of early childhood services can use to communicate child concerns with another community provider Your use of the website and any feedback you can provide is critical to meet this goal Click on the feedback link Is the website helpful, why or why not? Are the tools helpful, why or why not? How could the tools be improved?