Choral Ensembles: Choirs in 3-D

Kennesaw State University School of Music presents Choral Ensembles: Choirs in 3-Dhttps://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1637/thumbnail.jp

An Intervention to Increase Detection of Developmental Delays in WIC Programs

Background: Low-income children are at risk for under-detection of developmental disabilities DD. WIC clinics see low-income children regularly in early childhood and could be an important source of referrals to developmental services. Objectives: To increase the number of referrals to EI/ECSE from non-primary care settings such as WIC. Methods: This was a site-randomized trial of an intervention to train WIC staff in early identification of DD’s, using CDC’s LTSAE developmental monitoring materials. 7 county WIC agencies in Oregon enrolled; 4 intervention agencies and 3 control agencies. The intervention consisted of an on-site, half-day training regarding signs of developmental delays, use of LTSAE materials, and referral to EI/ECSE. WIC staff were encouraged to identify and refer at-risk children to EI/ECSE. Control sites received no training and continued their usual processes. Primary study outcome was number of children referred from WIC to EI/ECSE in control vs. experimental counties as well as % of referrals evaluated based on data obtained Oregon’s EI/ECSE program. Results: Data for 46 children referred to EI/ECSE were obtained. Overall, 3 of 4 intervention sites increased their referrals to EI, and 0 of 3 control sites increased referrals. Total referrals in the intervention arm increased from 5 to 33 in the intervention arm, but decreased from 6 to 2 in the control arm. Conclusion: This brief intervention with WIC staff led to short-term increases in EI referrals and evaluations