I’ve asked my sources outside Escambia County for input on how the Escambia Children’s Trust should tackle identifying and treating early childhood developmental delays. Here are the recommendations:
A more focused (less expensive) Help Me Grow model:
• Invest heavily in early childhood screening birth to 3 (no older than 5)
• Investigate and/or create a quick developmental screening tool that volunteers can easily give
• Hold in-person screenings at black churches and community centers (with food and giveaways to attract participants)
• From screenings, case managers funnel out for more intense screening with Early Steps and other services as needed
• Award Early Steps the contract for case management
• Partner with UWF on research and compile evidence-based outcomes
Autism/Behavioral Screenings
• Invest in early detection autism screening (2-6) – with Lakeview/Baptist to hold the contract and co-refer to Early Steps and other behavioral intervention
Triple P Parenting
• Invest in the Triple P Parenting Program – GREAT outcomes for prevention of child abuse/neglect and decreasing disruptive behaviors (ie ADD, OCD, ODD). Children’s Home Society should hold the contract for this: https://www.triplep.net/glo-en/find-out-about-triple-p/benefits-of-triple-p/
Also, the $51K spent on a Family Resource Guide is misguided. What is needed is a Local Medicaid Resource Guide.
• The guide would tell parents what providers take Medicaid -plus, their waitlists, criteria, etc. Just because they are listed as taking Medicaid doesn’t mean they actually do. “This is a HUGELY NEEDED resource and would be beneficial.”
Note: When you talk to experts and listen to them, the recommendations are so much better.