Presentation to: Title I Program Conference & Annual Homeless Liaison Conference

1. Collaboration with Community Partners: Early Intervention, Public Health Programs - And the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Homeless Education Program Presentation to: Title I Program Conference & Annual Homeless Liaison Conference Presented by: Ruth Cantor, Program Consultant, Babies Can’t Wait Erica Glenn, GaDOE Homeless Grant Consultant Date: June 18-20, 2013

2. Agenda • Introduction of Georgia Department of Public Health • Collaboration between Georgia Department of Public Health and GaDOE • Overview of the State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) • Early Intervention Referral Information • Overview of the Children 1st Program • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) • Overview of the Babies Can’t Wait Program • Services Provided to Families • Transition Planning • Questions • Resources

3. Georgia Department of Public Health • Responsible for a Comprehensive Child Find System. • All infants/toddlers with disabilities in the State who are eligible for services are identified, located and evaluated; • Determine which children are receiving services; and • Determine which children might be eligible but are not receiving services

4. Collaboration • Part C of the IDEA and Federal Regulations released by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) mandates a Public Awareness Program and formation of and active State Interagency Coordinating Council. • Partners in both efforts includes the GaDOE, Homeless Education program.

5. State Interagency Coordinating Council To advise and assist the Department of Public Health and other agencies responsible for serving infants and toddlers, birth to age three with developmental delays and disabilities and their families, in providing: · appropriate, · family-centered, and a · comprehensive service delivery system which promotes optimal child development and family functioning.

6. When to Refer to Early Intervention – Public Health Programs for Infants and Toddlers – Birth - 5

7. When Should a Referral be Made? • At the earliest sign of a delay. • Early identification leads to early intervention • “Wait and see” approach can limit benefits of intervention • Developmental delays are not “grown out of” • Without intervention, children may require more services at school age

8. Single Point of Entry : to public health and/or prevention based programs and services • All children come to one place which aides in data • collection for all Georgia’s children • Determination of most appropriate services • To make a referral to Children 1st call your local • health department or call 1-855-707-8277

9. Goal of Children 1st • Identify all children (birth to 5 years) at risk for poor health and developmental outcomes • Link at-risk children and families to appropriate public health and community services • Link at-risk children to primary health care provider

10. Children 1st Eligibility • Birth to age 5 • Medical and/or social-environmental risk factors • Voluntary • No financial or health insurance requirements

11. Children 1st • Children 1st in all 18 Health Districts • Referrals for Babies Can’t Wait, Children’s Medical, Services, Health Check, & Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention should come through Children 1st • Referrals can be faxed or mailed to the District Coordinator • Parents can contact District Coordinators to complete a telephone referral

12. Functions of Children 1st • Identification • Screening • Assessment • Linkage/Referral • Monitoring Identification of all births in Georgia through Electronic Birth Certificate (EBC) or referral form Screening of all births and children up to age five Screening and Referral Form Developmental screening using Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ:3) and Ages and Stages: Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE) Assessments of all children and families at risk Maternal and Child Health Assessment Referral/Linkage of children and families with risk conditions to medical home, other public health and community programs, and community resources Ongoing health and developmental monitoring to assure the child is school-ready by age five years

13. 1st Care • Serves infants 0-12 months who are low birth weight or medically fragile • Nursing home visiting and follow-up for infants at increased risk of morbidity or mortality

14. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Legislation that provides funding to states to ensure that children with disabilities receive supports and services. Part C of the Act addresses early intervention supports and services to infants and toddlers (Birth to Three) with developmental delays or disabilities and their families.

15. Babies Can’t Wait (BCW)Call 1-800-229-2038 Builds upon and provides supports and resources to assist family/caregivers to enhance children’s learning and development through everyday learning opportunities.

16. Referral Intake Evaluation & Assessment Activities Individualized Family Service Plan Activities Transition Activities Major Steps in BCW

17. Eligibility - BCW • Birth to 3 years old • Reside in Georgia • Have a: - Mental or physical diagnoses known to have a high incidence of developmental delay (e.g. Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, severe sensory impairment, etc.) (Category 1) or; • Significant developmental delay determined on evaluation (Category 2)

18. Services Provided at NoCost to Every Family: • Child Find • Developmental Evaluation/Assessment • Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) development • Procedural Safeguards (Parent’s rights) • Service Coordination Services • Transition Planning

19. Funding for Services Not Listed Above • Insurance: Private or Public (e.g. Medicaid) • Family Cost Participation • BCW as payer of last resort

20. Establishing the Family as the Focus of Services Recognizes and accommodates the impact that special needs may have on the entire family system. It recognizes the strengths of the family and ensures sensitivity to the family’s emotional needs.

21. Services that may be necessary to meet developmental outcomes on IFSP

22. Transition Planning • Every child who exits the program receives transition planning and services • Can be started as early as 9 months before the 3rd birthday • Assist families in identifying options after exiting BCW • With parental consent, share information about child with appropriate agency

23. Questions Contact : Ruth Cantor, Program Consultant BCW Rfcantor@dhr.state.ga.us For more information

24. Resources • www.health.state.ga.us (DPH) • www.cdc.gov/ncbdd/actearly/ • www.p2pga.org (Parent 2 Parent) • http://gucchd.georgetown.edu • www.Makethefirstfivecount.org free on-line screening for all parents and caregivers