Providers
Finding and treating developmental delays early can make a huge impact on children and their families. In Los Angeles County, 15% of children have a delay, yet only 3% of all children receive early intervention by age 3. Providers play an important role in working with parents/caregivers to help monitor their child's development. They are also key in helping to answer questions from families and caregivers about their child's developmental needs. Help Me Grow LA works with providers to improve the system for the families we serve. Help Me Grow LA's goal is to bring the community together to make sure all families are supported with:
Help Me Grow LA offers resources and support on best practices around developmental screening. We are working to improve connections between providers so every child receives support for their developmental concerns. HMG LA:
The following screening tools currently meet the criteria set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
A guide to help Health Care, Early Care and Education and Service providers understand the Regional Center system, including contact information and how to make referrals.
First 5 LA's Pediatric Provider Toolkit includes approaches to implement a new developmental screening initiative or refine existing screening practices to strengthen quality and effectiveness within a pediatric medical setting. Appendices provide additional information and customizable tools to support implementation.
Tip sheet for talking with parents about developmental concerns may be helpful as you work with families of children with special needs.
ACEs Aware is California's Department of Health Care Services effort, in partnership with the state's Surgeon General, to give Medi-Cal providers training, protocols, and payment for screening children and adults for Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs).
This Food Research & Action Center's fact sheet outlines the impact of poor nutrition on child health, iron deficiency, developmental delays, hospitalizations, and school performance.
First 5 LA's Family Serving Agency toolkit is a practical guide to support family serving agencies in accurately implementing or refining a high-quality approach to developmental screening and linkage. Appendices provide additional information and customizable tools to support implementation.
The Los Angeles County Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education provides information on public policy, resources, Workforce Pathways Stipend Program, to help strengthen the early care and education system for the children and families in Los Angeles County.
The County of Los Angeles Child Care Planning Committee's guide for connecting Children At Risk for, or with, Special Needs to Early Identification and Intervention Services includes a directory of resources for identifying and intervening early with children at risk for or with developmental disabilities or delays, or other special physical or mental health care needs.
The Early Care and Education Provider's Guide for Developmental and Behavioral Screening from Birth to 5: Watch Me Thrive includes information about healthy development, developmental and behavioral concerns, where to go for help, how to talk to families, and tips on how to best support children.
The Watch Me! Celebrating milestones and Sharing Concerns training materials covers the role early care and education providers can place in developmental monitoring and how to integrate the CDC's Learn the Signs, Act Early checklists and resources into their practice.
For screening tools and additional resources, please check out our resources page.
- Sophia Lim Stavros, MD, FAAP
