Referral and Eligibility
Anyone with concerns about a young child's development may make a referral to the Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program. If you are concerned that a child has a developmental delay or a condition predisposing him or her to developmental delays, consider referring the child to the early intervention program in the child's county of residence. For referral information:
- Call Wisconsin First Step at 1-800-642-7837
- Visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website for a complete list of County Birth to 3 Program contacts
WI Eligibility guidelines from 2005 (PDF – 150 pages) A comprehensive overview of the evaluation and eligibility process for WI Birth to 3 Program. http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/birthto3/EligibilityGuidelines.pdf
The Law
DHS-90.04 (Eligibility) & 90.07(Identification and Referral)
Federal Indicators from IDEA-Part C Early Intervention related to child find:
Indicator #5 (Percent of infants and toddlers birth to 1 with IFSPs) is intended to show a State's performance in the identification of eligible infants during their first year of life. Together with Indicator #6 (Percent of infants and toddlers birth to 3 with IFSPs), a State reports performance in finding eligible children early. (NECTAC PDF) http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/partc/part-c_sppapr_09.pdf#page=42
Child Find
Early Intervention Programs are required to make efforts to identify and serve children under three years of age with developmental delays or disabilities. To help families find their way to early intervention, Birth to 3 programs are responsible for conducting Child Find activities. Such activities include educating community partners (parents, physicians, child care providers) about Birth to 3 and referral of children with potential delays or disabilities. Anyone may make a referral to Birth to 3.
Talking Points document on transition from DHS....
"Each county administrative agency shall establish a comprehensive child find system to ensure that all children who may be eligible are identified and referred for screening or for evaluation. A comprehensive child find system is established to make the public aware of the rationale for early intervention services, the availability of those services, how to make referrals and how a family might obtain the services. The system shall include public awareness activities and an informed referral network."
Developmental Screening
Developmental Screening is the administration of a brief standardized tool that aids the identification of children at risk of a developmental disorder. Developmental screening does not result in either a diagnosis or treatment plan but rather identifies areas in which a child's development differs from same-age norms.
Pediatrics, July 2006
The Ages & Stages Questionnaire (Trademark) is a common screening tool used in WI. http://www.agesandstages.com/
Collaborating Partners Developmental Screening/Early Identification Website
http://www.collaboratingpartners.com/screening-early-identification-about.php
Resources (Handouts, videos, citations, links)
WI Medical Home Webcasts
- Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI): A Sound Beginning for Wisconsin's Babies
- Developmental Surveillance and Screening in the Medical Home
- Implementing Developmental Screening in Primary Care Practice (Using the ASQ)
- Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) using the M-CHAT
- Sharing Screening Results with Families
Child Find Resources DPI
Child Find Resources – CESA #6
NECTAC PDF 2005- Early Identification of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement on Developmental Screening, 2006
Connected Projects
WE-TRAC (The Wisconsin Early Hearing Detection Initiative Tracking Referral and Coordination System)
- Screen shots http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/birthto3/pdfs/written_directions.pdf
- Tutorial http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/birthto3/WE-TRAC%20PPS%20Referral%20Simulation/WE-TRAC%20PPS%20Referral%20Simulation.htm
- FAQ http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/birthto3/pdfs/WE-TRAC_FAQ.pdf
Developmental Screening Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs projects
Learn the Signs. Act Early. In Wisconsin
Local Child Development Days in Wisconsin – Public and private schools, Head Start, county Birth to 3 programs, child care, social services, public health, public library and other county service providers collaborate to plan, implement and evaluate a community Child Development Days.
The Child Development Days Model is a cooperative effort between agencies that provide services to young children and their families. The Model incorporates the concepts of developmental review, interagency cooperation, a parent and child friendly process of screening, and providing families with educational information regarding normal child growth and development as well as information regarding resources and services available to them within their community. For more information, visit CESA #6 http://www.cesa6.k12.wi.us/products_services/earlylearningresources/childdeveldays.cfm
Forms
Please see our directory of forms