WIC checklist aims to help staff spot developmental delays in young children

A brief developmental milestones checklist is being promoted for use in WIC encounters to help staff spot developmental delays early and connect children in lower-income families to services, presenters said. A parent who described late recognition of delays said the family "lost out on 2 years of early intervention and access to services" because they were not informed earlier.

Program presenters said research shows earlier identification of delays improves outcomes and that children in lower-income households—"such as those served by WIC"—are at higher risk of missing critical services. "An estimated 1 in 5 children in lower income households experience a developmental disability," a presenter said, and earlier screening and referral can change long-term trajectories.

The developmental milestones program is designed to be practical for clinics: presenters described three core elements. First, staff introduce milestones in a positive, friendly way; second, families are given checklists and time to complete them during routine visits such as certification or health assessments; and third, staff provide referrals for developmental screening and services when milestones are missed or other concerns are noted. Presenters said materials from experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention inform the checklists to keep them evidence-based and meaningful to parents and staff.

Early implementation data were cited to support the program's feasibility. Presenters reported nearly all WIC staff found parents willing to complete the checklist and that parents learned new information. "The program takes 5 minutes or less," one presenter said, noting 80% of staff reported the checklist added little or no time to appointments when no referral was needed. Presenters also said nearly all staff reported referring one or more children and that 90% felt the program helped them learn when to refer and how to support families through the referral process.

Clinic-level testimony in the transcript reinforced those findings: a staff member said clients were generally open to completing the checklist and that, when referrals were made and followed up, doctors were proactive in arranging services, which the speaker called "awesome." Another speaker who said they use the checklists both personally and professionally described the program as "amazing." A parent closed by saying, "knowledge is power," arguing that informed parents can better advocate for their child's development.

The presentation emphasized that linking simple milestone checks to nutrition education and referrals can help families access services earlier. The transcript does not record a formal vote or policy adoption; it presents program description, early evaluation results, and personal testimony about the checklist's acceptability and potential to shorten delays in service access.