THE FOLLOW ALONG PROGRAM COST-ANALYSIS IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA

The Follow Along Program (FAP) is a computer-assisted child-find syste m for children ages birth to 48 months at risk of developmental delays . The program in southwest Minnesota uses a combination of an initial home visit and subsequent tracking by parent-completed Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQs) at specified intervals. The study found that th e annual ASQ cost per child in the region was $45.80, and it varies wi dely across counties. Labor costs, particularly nurse time cost, was t he major component of the total ASQ cost. This study will help managin g agencies to strategize their child-find efforts given the availabili ty of local resources in their areas.