Sep 16, 2014

 

New On-Line Developmental Screening Program:Helping Families Monitor their Child’s Development

 

CDC: Most children miss out on developmental screening
Last week, the CDC released new a new report highlighting that the vast majority of American children may not be receiving recommended developmental screenings.  Analysis of 2007 data found that only 21.1 % of parents (of children 10-47 months) reported being asked to complete a developmental screening in the last year. 

Low rates of screening are a main reason why nearly 30% of children with developmental concerns entering Kindergarten have not yet been identified. 

At First 5, we are working to change these statistics
Through Help Me Grow Alameda County, we support approximately 6,000 developmental screenings of children ages birth to 5 annually. Help Me Grow partners with local pediatric clinics, early care and education programs, and other agencies to promote and facilitate the use of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire Third Edition (ASQ-3) screening tool. 

Equally important, if a child’s screening results indicate a developmental concern, we provide personal assistance to help families get connected to evaluations, early intervention and other resources. This support is critical to both families and providers.

"Without Help Me Grow, we would not be able to help as many families connect with services. Many children with delays or need for support would be missed. The Help Me Grow team provides invaluable support and guidance to our patients and their families. We are grateful to have them as our partners." - Dr. Veronica Sood,Highland Pediatrics

We help families track their child’s development

Last year, Help Me Grow launched the Developmental Screening Program.  A free resource for families, the program provides regular developmental screenings until a child’s 5th birthday.  Designed to be completed by families, the ASQ-3 is a great resource to help families monitor and support their child's development.

Now, families can access the developmental screening online! Through the Alamedakids.org website, families can enroll in the Developmental Screening Program and link directly to the ASQ online.  The ASQ is available in both Spanish and English.  Once a family completes a screening, Help Me Grow staff review results and contact the family. 

 

before after spkA Very Successful Summer Pre-K

 

First 5 Alameda County’s 2014 Summer Pre-K program concluded August 14 with more than 700 youngsters excited, primed and “ready for Kindergarten.” This summer’s program was held in 46 classrooms at 29 schools across 11 school districts* in Alameda County.  "My expectations were exceeded by what our children learned in a matter of weeks,” one happy mother of two pre-school age children wrote to us. The two photos above of her daughter expresses what she thought of the experience! 

Summer Pre-K has become an integral part of the Alameda County early education experience, and for good reason. Research shows that the “achievement gap” begins before children even enter kindergarten.  First 5 Alameda County’s Summer Pre-K program introduces children with limited or no experience in childcare or preschool to the school setting, easing their transition to kindergarten. It provides children with opportunities to learn in a developmentally appropriate classroom environment, and exposes them to social experiences which help them develop skills necessary for success in kindergarten.

Parent workshops are also provided through this program, as is a link to our early identification program, Help Me Grow, if a teacher or parent is concerned about a child’s development and sees a need for help. And every child who participates in First 5 Alameda County’s Summer Pre-K program receives a school backpack filled with essential school supplies necessary upon entering kindergarten.

Read here one happy mom's appreciation for First 5's Summer Pre-K Program helping her daughter get ready for Kindergarten! 

For more information about Summer Pre-K and school readiness please go to:  http://www.first5alameda.org/strategy-school-readiness-initiative

*Berkeley, Castro Valley, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Union City, Oakland 

 

Are you Following Us?

First 5 Alameda County is now proudly advocating for Alameda County children and families via Facebook, Twitter and Youtube along with this FYI Newsletter. 

Our Facebook page is located at www.Facebook.com/First5Alameda be sure to like our page in order to see our posts. We feature local events for parents and families along with providers and early childhood advocates. Also all of our career & funding opportunities, newsletters and public announcements are posted there and are the best place to get live time updates on the work of our agency along with updates about our partners.  

Our Twitter handle is @First5Alameda and this is a great resource for those wanting to join the national conversation and advocate for early childhood issues such as universal preschool, father engagement, educational equality and more. It's also a great resource for current articles and publications on early childhood issues. 

Finally be sure to see our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/first5alameda. There you'll see snippets of the great work we do, testimonials from our partners, digital stories on the children and families we've assisted through the years along with news coverage and more!

  
.