Improving Access to Early Identification and Intervention: 211 LA County Developmental Screening and Care Coordination

Photo: Kiwi Street Studios

In September 2009, 211 LA County launched an innovative Developmental Screening and Care Coordination Program. The screening program uses evidence-based developmental screening tools in the agency’s call center to identify young children with potential developmental delays and disabilities including autism. After receiving standard 2-1-1 service, a portion of parent callers of children birth to five years of age are offered the opportunity to answer questions about their children’s development using an on-line developmental screening tool. Developmental and autism screens are delivered by a trained Care Coordinator. Parents’ responses are entered into a web-based form that immediately generates a report of the likelihood that the child has a developmental issue. In the same call, Care Coordinators share the screening results and help families interpret the results.