Why is Developmental Screening in Child Welfare Important?
Developmental Delays occur at a rate 4 to 5 times higher for children in foster care than for children in the general population. Frequent placements and attachment disruptions which plague the foster care system can hinder development and lessen the resiliency of children. With children under 5 being the fastest growing age group entering care, the need to identify and address developmental issues early is vital. Research demonstrates that early intervention achieves immediate and long term benefits for children experiencing delays. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening children at 9, 18, 24, and/or 30 months using a standardized screening tool because of the demonstrated improvement in early identification. Child Welfare and Foster Parents play a critical role in identifying and linking to services some of the most vulnerable children. What is Child Welfare’s Role in Securing Developmental Screens and Referring Children to Early Intervention Servicers? The Keeping C
