Centralized assessment of early developmental delays in children in foster care: A program that works

While children in out-of-home care are disproportionately at risk for early developmental delays, historically, child welfare systems have poor track records of ensuring that children entering care are assessed for developmental delays and, where necessary, are referred for and linked with appropriate early intervention services. Recent studies have demonstrated that programs of comprehensive assessment, or those that ensure that all children entering care receive initial and ongoing assessments, produce both higher rates of assessment and higher rates of identification of developmental delay. However, no study heretofore has examined how comprehensive assessment relates to rates of service delivery. This study represents and evaluation of a program for ongoing assessment of early childhood developmental delays by qualified screeners operated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Results indicated that 77% of children eligible for the program received assessments. Of all those assessed, 57% were found to have probable developmental delays; nearly all were referred to the early intervention system and formally evaluated. Ninety-four percent of children who were formally evaluated were determined to be eligible for services, and all had IFSPs. Recommendations for optimization of assessment and referral programs are offered.