Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Intervention Child Find topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County contractor reports higher referral and assessment rates from birth‑to‑3 outreach grant
Summary
Concerned Citizens reported that a child‑find grant for Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIP) increased assessments, referrals and therapist efficiency across Clallam and Jefferson counties, the group said at a DDAC meeting.
Concerned Citizens staff reported to the Clallam County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee that a recent outreach grant for the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIP) program boosted assessment and referral outcomes across the county.
Why it matters: Early identification and intervention for infants and toddlers with developmental concerns can change long-term outcomes and reduce later costs, the presenter said.
Linda Middleton and Misty (Concerned Citizens staff) told the DDAC that child‑find outreach events and resource coordination produced measurable results. Of 69 children referred through the program, staff said 75% completed the screening assessment (U‑ASQ) and that 100% of children with a possible delay who were screened were referred for a full evaluation within 45 days. Concerned Citizens reported that 62% of screened children qualified for services and 38% declined services.
The contractor said the grant reduced non‑billable case‑management time for therapists by 78% (the stated target had been a 20% reduction). Staff said placing Family Resource Coordinators (FRCs) at outreach points allowed therapists to spend more face‑to‑face time with children because FRCs handled much of the system navigation and paperwork.
Concerned Citizens also said it kept early‑intervention materials stocked at clinics, hospitals and WIC sites in the county and logged the distribution monthly. The presentation noted ongoing barriers: families in shock after a difficult neonatal course, denial when a child “looks fine,” geographic challenges in remote peninsula communities and the need for trusted outreach to tribal communities.
What’s next: Concerned Citizens said it will continue outreach, keep monthly restocking of materials and share detailed data with the county; committee members praised the program’s outcomes and urged continued investment in early intervention.
