“Don’t Worry. But Don’t Wait.”

Victoria Meeder, Marketing/Public Awareness Supervisor

Stefanie Rathburn, Training and Technical Assistance Specialist

Michigan Collaborative Early Childhood ConferenceThursday, January 29th, 2009

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Clinton County RESAOffice of Innovative Projects

Early On® Training and Technical Assistance

• Personnel development for Early On

Pre-Service • Early On Center for Higher Education

Early On Public Awareness• Child find for Infants and Toddlers, birth – 3

Project Find• Child find for Special Education, birth – 26

IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

• Part C = birth to 3 years

• Part B = 3 to 21 years

Purpose of Part C• To enhance the development of

infants and toddlers;• To reduce costs to our society;• To maximize the potential of

individuals with disabilities;• To enhance the capacity of

families…;• To enhance the capacity of states…

Structure of Part C in MichiganUS Congress IDEA

Michigan InteragencyCoordinating Council

(MICC)MI Dept. ofCommunity

Health

MI Dept. of

Human Services

Dept of

Public Health

CommunityMental Health

Local Service Areas/ Intermediate School

Districts (57)

Early On Coordinator Local Interagency Coordinating Council

(LICC)

Major Grantees:1. Qualitative Compliance

Information Project2. Early On Training &

Technical Assistance3. EO Public Awareness 4. MI Alliance for Families5. MI Compliance Info

System (funded by Part B)

US Dept of EducationOffice of Special Education

Programs

Michigan State Board of Education

Michigan Department of Education

Office of Early Childhood Education & Family

Services

What is Early On®

• A statewide system of early intervention services mandated by federal legislation (Part C of IDEA)

• Designed to help families find the social, health and educational services that will promote the development of their infants and

toddlers with special needs

• Based on partnerships between families and service providers and on collaboration among community agencies, organizations and private practitioners;

• Emphasizes early identification and early services

Early On is a System of Services

Mental Health

Health Services

Children’s Special Health

Care

Hospital

Early Intervention Services

Child CareEaster Seals

InsurancePhysician

Health Dept.

Social ServicesEarly Head Start

Early On Services Are:• Strength(s) based

• Family Centered

• Based on parent/professional

partnerships

• Based on interagency collaboration

Eligibility for Early On Services

• Any infant or toddler with an established condition (i.e., a physical or mental condition likely to lead to a delay)

• Any infant or toddler with a developmental delay

Established Conditions

• Chromosomal anomaly/genetic disorders (e.g. Down syndrome)

• Neurological disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy) • Congenital malformations (e.g., heart or cleft lip)• Inborn errors of metabolism• Sensory disorders• Atypical developmental disorders (e.g., autism)• Severe toxic exposure (e.g., alcohol or drug

exposed) • Chronic illnesses (e.g., cystic fibrosis) • Severe infectious diseases

Developmental Delay in one of more of the following categories:

• Physical (including hearing and vision)

• Gross and Fine Motor Development

• Communication Development

• Cognitive Development

• Social/Emotional Development

• Adaptive (self-help)

What is the Early On® timeline?

• Referral– Within 2 days of knowledge of concern

• Parental Notification– Within 10 days of referral

• Evaluation and Assessment– Within 45 days

• Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)– Within 60 days

• Transition– Up to nine months before exit– Minimum of 90 days before exit

Parent Notification• When first contact is made to parents, they

need to know 3 things– What is Early On– Family rights (procedural safeguards)– A description of the consent that they must

give in order for the child to be evaluated• Consent to evaluate form (usually only

once)• Authorization to share form (updated

every six months)• Every family receives at no charge

– Evaluation and assessment– Service coordination– Development of an IFSP

Developmental Evaluation• Two people (or more) from different

professions or disciplines– Consists of 5 parts

• Cognitive Development• Physical Development, including vision and

hearing, gross and fine motor• Communication Development• Social or Emotional Development• Adaptive Development

• Parent input should be considered in all areas

Health Appraisal

• Obtain information about past and current health– Physical Examination

• By doctor, nurse, or nurse practitioner

• Must be conducted within:– 3 months for a child 18

months or under– 6 months for a child over 18

months

Individual Family Service Plan

• The IFSP meeting will include:– Results of the evaluation– Concerns of the parents– Outcomes desired by the parents for

their child– Outcomes in natural environments and

daily routines– Supports needed by the family– Early intervention services identified to

support the outcomes

Review of the Plan of Service• Every Six-Month or sooner a Review of

the IFSP outcomes must be evaluated

• At least every 12 months a new IFSP is developed

• Up to nine months before a child turns three years of age a transition planning meeting is held

Services Provided by Early On• Assistive

Technology Services

• Audiology Services• Family Training,

Counseling & Home Visits

• Nursing Services• Nutrition Services• Occupational

Therapy

• Speech Therapy• Physical Therapy• Special Instruction• Social Work• Psychological

Services• Health Services• Service

Coordination• Transportation• Vision Services

When to Make a Referral

• If an established condition exists, it’s best practice to share information about Early On.

• When a parent expresses concern.

• When there is an identified red flag about a child’s development.

Red Flags at 6 Months

• Infant not reaching for objects • Not yet rolling over from stomach to

back• Does not make eye contact • Does not laugh or squeal (see handout for additional information about

typical development and red flags for children birth to 48 months of age)

Red Flags at Twelve Months • Persistent mouthing of objects • Excessive self-stimulation• Cannot stand when supported • Uses only one side of body • Not transferring objects from one

hand to the other • Not looking for hidden objects • Not using single words • Does not use gestures, e.g.,

waving, pointing, or shaking head

Red Flags at 18 Months • Not walking independently • Walks on tiptoes• Excessive rocking• Withdrawn • Does not respond to

simple requests • Little or no social

engagement • Does not point or try to

indicate wants

Red Flags at 24 Months • Inability to walk up and

down stairs• Any regression of skills • No two word phrases • Persistent poor transitions • Does not show affection • Does not know and point to

5 body parts

Discussing Potential Referral

• Discuss concern(s) with parent • If they share concern(s), proceed with a

referral.

If not – what to do?• Provide opportunities to observe similar age

children • Provide information about developmentally

appropriate behaviors • Keep log of identified concern(s) to share with

parents• Remind parent about the benefits of Early On,

input from specific disciplines• Provide an Early On brochure to parent

How to Make a Referral

• Call 1-800-Early-On (327-5966) • FAX: 517-668-0446• www.1800EarlyOn.org

– Email (link on website) – Online Referral Process

• Contact your local county Early On directly

www.1800EarlyOn.org

www.ProjectFindMichigan.org

1997 Amendments to IDEA - Regs

• Sec. 303.320 Public awareness program. Each system must include a public awareness program that focuses on the early identification of children who are eligible … and includes the preparation and dissemination by the lead agency to all primary referral sources, especially hospitals and physicians, of materials for parents on the availability of early intervention services.

• The public awareness program must provide for informing the public about– (a) The State's early intervention program; (b) The child find system, including–

(1) The purpose and scope of the system; (2) How to make referrals; and (3) How to gain access to a

comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation and other early intervention services; and (c) The central directory.

Public Awareness Federal Guidelines

Special Education Child Find (300.111)

• All children with disabilities residing in the State, …regardless of the severity of their disability and who are in need of special education and relates services, are identified, located, and evaluated.

• Mandated: – Homeless children– Migrant children– Children advancing from grade to grade with a

suspected disability– Native Americans (Federal Register/Vol. 71, No. 156/Monday, August 14,

2006/Rules and Regulations)• Priority Audiences:

– Non-English Speaking Communities (Spanish & Arabic)

– Parents of younger youth (Pre-K – 6th grade)– High school drop outs

Public Awareness Grantee

Strategies for outreach to identify and locate infants & toddlers, children, and youth (0-26) who may be eligible for Part C and Part B Services

– Media: Television, Radio, Transit, Outdoor, and Print

– Statewide display boards– Offer a viable Web presence – Disseminate public awareness

materials

Media – Statewide Television

Early On® Michigan - Public Service Announcement

“Sitting Still”October 2005 – March 2006 (Aired 78,535)

Versions Available in English, Spanish, and African-American Dialect

Early On Michigan Billboards

• Worked with the Outdoor Association of Michigan

• Board space donated. Only paid for installation

Billboard Campaign – Sept 07 Wayne

Oakland

Macomb

Clinton

Eaton

Kent

St. Clair

Livingston

Genesee

Washtenaw

Transit/Bus Campaign – Sept . 07

Wayne, Kent, Genesee

Statewide Radio Campaign – Oct. 07

Public Service Announcements were played on 293 commercial radio stations and 28 public radio stations.

Generating Awareness – Transit

October 2007Kalamazoo :  8 buses

Genesee:  20 buses

Macomb:  40 buses

Washtenaw:25 buses

Transit AdvertisementsWayne, Genesee, Kent- Sept. 2007

New Outreach Efforts – May 08Child Find Birth – 1 (Metro Parent Magazinewww.metroparent.com• Circulation of 30,000• Distribution: Oakland, Macomb,

Wayne, Livingston, Washtenaw• 36% in schools, preschools,

daycares, libraries, YMCA’s, medical, dental, tutoring programs, retail – children’s clothing venues, shoes, toys, supermarkets, bookstores

• Demographics: 91% Female• 51% have children 6 and younger• BONUS: We will receive a free

listing in the Metro Baby’s Pregnancy Resource Guide – Fall 2008 Edition; both online and print

• Fall Metro Baby 11/12

Grand Rapids Family Advertisement Child Find Birth – 1

www.grfamily.comBaby Issue

- Launches first week in JuneHighlights of Issue: Physicians:

Profiles, Father’s Day and Baby Gift Guide

• Circulation of 55,200• Distribution: West MI (Kent

County) • Grocery stores, retail stores,

libraries, public , private and charter schools, preschools, child care centers, hospitals, doctor’s offices, and After-school/enrichment organizations

• Demographics: 92% Female• 50% have children 4 and

younger

Traveling Display Boards

Impact Public Awareness

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008

Early On

PF

Gen Info

Total

Public Awareness Products

Central Directory 2007

To download a copy, visit To download a copy, visit www.1800EarlyOn.orgHighlights of the Directory Highlights of the Directory include:include:•Contact information for the Contact information for the Office of Early Childhood Office of Early Childhood EducationEducationand Family Services and Family Services •MDCH and MDE MDCH and MDE •IDEA Mandated Activities IDEA Mandated Activities •Early OnEarly On Coordinators Coordinators •Intermediate School Districts Intermediate School Districts •Institutions of Higher EducationInstitutions of Higher Education•Neonatal Intensive Care UnitsNeonatal Intensive Care Units

Public Awareness Products

Thank You for Attending

1-800-Early On (327-5966)

www.1800EarlyOn.org

1-800-252-0052

www.ProjectFindMichigan.org

1-866-334-KIDS

www.eotta.ccresa.org