Developmental Screening: Appropriate Use
Date: Dec. 6, 2021
To: To County Lead Agency (CLA) and Direct DCYF-Contracted ESIT Provider Representatives
From: Laurie Thomas, ESIT Program Administrator
Re: Clarification Memo #2021-03 Regarding Appropriate Use of Developmental Screening
*CLAs, please share with your contractors.*
To provide clarification regarding the purpose and appropriate use of developmental screening and how those differ from the purpose and appropriate use of developmental evaluation.
Request for Screening: A request for a developmental screening, where there is no accompanying developmental concern.
Referral: A request for eligibility determination and access to ESIT services. ESIT provider response to a referral must include a review of procedural safeguards and an offer of a full developmental evaluation.
Developmental screening is the use of a standardized tool by qualified personnel to support parents, healthcare providers, and others in tracking a child’s developmental milestones, where there are no identified concerns. Screening services are considered optional under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Screening is meant to:
- Identify children who may have developmental delays and are appropriate to receive a full eligibility evaluation.
Screening is not meant to:
- Rule out the need for an eligibility evaluation, where there are developmental concerns.
- Establish eligibility for ESIT services.
- Create IFSP outcomes.
A child referred for ESIT services due to an identified concern must be offered a full evaluation, regardless of any prior screening results. The lists below provide examples of when a screening or a full evaluation is appropriate.
Screening is appropriate when:
- A parent/caregiver is curious about their child’s development but has no specific concerns and has not requested a full evaluation.
- An ESIT Provider Agency conducts a free community child find event.
Evaluation is required when:
- A parent/caregiver expresses concern about their child’s development in any area.
- A parent/caregiver requests an evaluation, regardless of prior screening results. F.R. § 303.320(a)(3)
- A child receives developmental screening services at a community child find event and concerns are identified.
- A physician refers a child due to any concern or diagnosed condition. (Note that some diagnoses lead to automatic eligibility and do not require an evaluation for eligibility.)
More information about developmental screening may be found in the ESIT Policies and Procedures.
For additional support in establishing appropriate screening, assessment, or evaluation processes, contact your regional Technical Assistance Specialist.
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