Increase Child Development Screening and Services
What Can Policymakers Do?
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Ensure compliance with federal requirements of Part C screenings for young victims of child abuse . Federal laws, commonly known as Part C and B of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), provide for screening and services for children with disabilities. Recently, a requirement was added to the federal child abuse prevention law (CAPTA) that all children 0-3 with substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect are referred to the health department for a “Part C” screening.
Massachusetts piloted the first program to link the child welfare and health departments to meet this federal requirement. [i]
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Use Medicaid to support developmental screening and services. The city of
San Diego uses Medicaid targeted case management funds to support the Developmental Screening and Enhancement Program for children in foster care. [ii]
[i] http://www.cffutures.org/conference_information/documents/C4_Thomas_Lippitprinted.pdf
[ii] Fine, A. and Mayer, R. (2006, December). Beyond Referral: Pediatric Care Linkages to Improve Developmental Health. Retrieved January 13, 2009, from The Commonwealth Fund. http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=430649#areaCitation.