COMMUNITY-BASED DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT SITES - A NEW MODEL FOR PEDIATRIC CHILD-FIND ACTIVITIES

With PL 99-457 mandating early intervention (EI) for young children (0 -3 years) with developmental delays, there is a need among pediatric p roviders to refer children with delays early on to the EI system. At c ommunity-based developmental assessment (CDA) sites, master's-degree-l evel developmentalists assess referred children for developmental stat us in a convenient, efficient, and accurate manner. CDA sites also ser ve as a liaison between the referring physician and the EI system. One site trains pediatric residents about EI and screening. CDA sites are cost effective for the EI agency. Surveys of pediatricians and famili es indicate high levels of satisfaction with the sites.