Presentation to:

Title I Program Conference &

Annual Homeless Liaison Conference

Presented by:

Ruth Cantor, Program Consultant, Babies Can’t Wait

Erica Glenn, GaDOE Homeless Grant Consultant

Date: June 18-20, 2013

Collaboration with Community Partners:Early Intervention, Public Health Programs -

And the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Homeless Education

Program

Agenda• Introduction of Georgia Department of Public Health• Collaboration between Georgia Department of Public Health

and GaDOE• Overview of the State Interagency Coordinating Council

(SICC)• Early Intervention Referral Information• Overview of the Children 1st Program• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)• Overview of the Babies Can’t Wait Program• Services Provided to Families• Transition Planning• Questions• Resources

Georgia Department of Public Health

• Responsible for a Comprehensive Child Find System.oAll infants/toddlers with disabilities in

the State who are eligible for services are identified, located and evaluated;

oDetermine which children are receiving services; and

oDetermine which children might be eligible but are not receiving services

Collaboration

• Part C of the IDEA and Federal Regulations released by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) mandates a Public Awareness Program and formation of and active State Interagency Coordinating Council.

• Partners in both efforts includes the GaDOE, Homeless Education program.

State Interagency Coordinating Council

To advise and assist the Department of Public Health and other agencies responsible for serving infants and toddlers, birth to age three with developmental delays and disabilities and their families, in providing:

· appropriate, · family-centered, and a· comprehensive service delivery system which

promotes optimal child development and family functioning. 

When to Refer to Early Intervention – Public Health Programs for Infants and Toddlers – Birth - 5

When Should a Referral be Made?

• At the earliest sign of a delay. o Early identification leads to early

interventiono “Wait and see” approach can limit

benefits of intervention oDevelopmental delays are not “grown

out of”oWithout intervention, children may

require more services at school age

• Single Point of Entry : to public health and/or prevention based programs and services

• All children come to one place which aides in data

collection for all Georgia’s children

• Determination of most appropriate services

• To make a referral to Children 1st call your local health department or call 1-855-707-8277

Goal of Children 1st

• Identify all children (birth to 5 years) at risk for poor health and developmental outcomes

• Link at-risk children and families to appropriate public health and community services

• Link at-risk children to primary health care provider

Children 1st Eligibility

• Birth to age 5

• Medical and/or social-environmental risk factors

• Voluntary

• No financial or health insurance requirements

Children 1st

• Children 1st in all 18 Health Districts

• Referrals for Babies Can’t Wait, Children’s Medical, Services, Health Check, & Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention should come through Children 1st

• Referrals can be faxed or mailed to the District Coordinator

• Parents can contact District Coordinators to complete a telephone referral

Identification

Screening

Assessment

Linkage/Referral

Monitoring

Identification of all births in Georgia through Electronic

Birth Certificate (EBC) or referral form

Screening of all births and children up to age fiveScreening and Referral FormDevelopmental screening using Ages and Stages Questionnaire

(ASQ:3) andAges and Stages: Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE)

Assessments of all children and families at riskMaternal and Child Health Assessment

Referral/Linkage of children and families with riskconditions to medical home, other public health

andcommunity programs, and community resources

Ongoing health and developmental monitoring to assure

the child is school-ready by age five years

Functions of Children 1st

• Serves infants 0-12 months who are low birth weight or medically fragile

• Nursing home visiting and follow-up for infants at increased risk of morbidity or mortality

1st Care

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

• Legislation that provides funding to states to ensure that children with disabilities receive supports and services.

• Part C of the Act addresses early intervention supports and services to infants and toddlers (Birth to Three) with developmental delays or disabilities and their families.

Babies Can’t Wait (BCW)Call 1-800-229-2038

Builds upon and provides supports and resources to assist family/caregivers to enhance children’s learning and development through everyday learning opportunities.

I. ReferralII. IntakeIII. Evaluation & Assessment ActivitiesIV. Individualized Family Service Plan

ActivitiesV. Transition Activities

Major Steps in BCW

Eligibility - BCW

• Birth to 3 years old• Reside in Georgia• Have a:

- Mental or physical diagnoses known to have a high incidence of developmental delay (e.g. Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, severe sensory impairment, etc.) (Category 1) or;

• Significant developmental delay determined on

evaluation (Category 2)

Services Provided at NoCost to Every Family:

• Child Find• Developmental

Evaluation/Assessment• Individualized Family Service

Plan (IFSP) development• Procedural Safeguards

(Parent’s rights)• Service Coordination Services

• Transition Planning

Funding for Services Not Listed Above

• Insurance: Private or Public (e.g. Medicaid)

• Family Cost Participation

• BCW as payer of last resort

Establishing the Family as the Focus of Services

Recognizes and accommodates the impact that special needs may have on the entire family system. It recognizes the strengths of the family and ensures sensitivity to the family’s emotional needs.

Services that may be necessary

to meet developmental outcomes on IFSP

Assistive technology

Health services

Nutrition Services

Physical Therapy

Special Instruction

Audiology Medical Services

Psychology Services

Speech/Language Therapy

Family training & counseling

Nursing Services

Occupational

TherapySocial Work

Vision Services

Transition Planning

• Every child who exits the program receives transition planning and services

• Can be started as early as 9 months before the 3rd birthday

• Assist families in identifying options after exiting BCW

• With parental consent, share information about child with appropriate agency

Questions

Contact : Ruth Cantor, Program Consultant BCWRfcantor@dhr.state.ga.us

For more information

Resources

• www.health.state.ga.us (DPH)• www.cdc.gov/ncbdd/actearly/• www.p2pga.org (Parent 2 Parent)• http://gucchd.georgetown.edu• www.Makethefirstfivecount.org free on-line screening for all parents and

caregivers