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Background and Vision
The Family Support & Resource Centers administrated by the Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County, Inc. piloted a community based screening program in 2006 using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) with caregivers of children birth to age 3 with funding from Allegany Franciscan Ministries. The successful outcomes in increased caregiver knowledge of child development led to the award of continuation funds from the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. In 2008 Allegany funded Healthy Start Coalition again to create a continuum of care in developmental screening through pediatric outreach and serving at risk population.
Identification of Target Population
Watch Me Grow assists caregivers, hospitals and pediatric providers in identifying young children at risk for developmental delays in an effort to improve early identification and referral for intervention services. Watch Me Grow supports continuous developmental monitoring to ensure that young children and their caregivers realize their potential for growth during the early years. The program is designed to serve any child and family residing in Hillsborough County. Children can be served up to age 5 if they are not enrolled in another service during their preschool years that provide developmental screening.
Watch Me Grow Continuum of Care
Hospital Outreach
Hospital and Healthy Families staff assist in identifying and referring newborns and their caregivers who would benefit from the community resource that would meet their developmental needs.
Pediatric Outreach
Pediatric offices are engaged in an effort to enhance their screening practices. Watch Me Grow provides training in the ASQ screening tool and community resources to improve developmental screening and early referrals for formal evaluation.
At Risk Outreach
The communities most vulnerable children are specifically targeted; homeless children and their families residing at Metropolitan Ministries and newborns born with substance exposure. This effort addresses the many challenges faced by families without neglecting the child’s needs and improves hospital and/or protective services discharge planning. Staff provides ongoing developmental monitoring with the ASQ and provides training or technical assistance as needed to support local organizations who are also working with these same children and their families.
Community-Based Screening
The Family Support & Resource Centers, regionally located throughout Hillsborough County, serve at sites where families can meet with an early childhood specialist to complete the ASQ. This effort reduces a family’s isolation by bringing them to safe place to talk about their child and receive access to other services they identify.
Watch Me Grow Best Practices
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Meeting directly with families to complete the ASQ in community based locations
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Follow up and re-engagement that link pediatricians and families
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Ongoing support with training and technical assistance
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Provision of developmentally appropriate toys, books and caregiver/child activities
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Reduction of duplicating services through intake process
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