First Connections: Early Identification of and Referrals to Early Intervention Services for Autism and other Developmental Delays
Project Description
This 3-year grant provides training and technical assistance to 6 community-based organizations that provide screening of developmental disabilities, including autism, for children aged birth to five years in underserved communities, and link families to community resources. The goals of the project include:
- Increasing the number of competent professional to conduct early screening;
- Increasing parents' knowledge of development, developmental disabilities, and community resources;
- Increasing the number of young children from disadvantaged communities screened; and
- Increasing the linkage of young children to services for developmental delays.
The grant will reach a large number of families in underserved communities, will develop systemic methods for increasing screening that can be applied to other service systems, and will collect data useful for advocacy to reduce barriers in access to services. The grant is expected to increase developmental screening for young children from underserved communities, and produce a systems change.
Important Things to Know
- Children from disadvantaged populations are less likely to be screened for developmental disabilities, including autism, and linked to appropriate resources in a timely way.
- Parents, teachers, or medical providers who have concerns about a child's development should not wait. Acting early can make a big difference.
- More information from the CDC about acting early.
Additional Information
Marian Williams, PhD, Project Lead
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Project Director
Barbara Wheeler, PhD, RN, Team Member
Marie Kanne Poulsen, PhD, Team Member
Funding: Grant
Project Duration: 2014 - 2017
Collaborators: First 5 LA, AltaMed, Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center, Foothill Family Services, Northeast Valley Health Corporation, South Central LA Regional Center Family Resource Center, Westside Children's Center, 211 LA County
