2010 OSEP Leadership Mega Conference Collaboration to Achieve Success from Cradle to Career “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Engaging Parents in Their Child’s Development Camille Smith and Cheryl Rhodes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Prevention Research Branch Strand 2 Early Childhood August 2, 2010

Public Health Approach to Early Identification

Essential Elements of Public Health

The Public Health Model Adapted from Mercy et al. (1993)

“Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Why this campaign? In the United States, about 1 in 110 children has an autism spectrum disorder About 1 in 8 children aged 3-17 has a developmental disability Many children with a developmental disability are not identified until after entering school Early intervention can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn new skills

Target Audiences Primary audience:  All parents of children aged 4 and under Secondary audiences:  Early educators  Health care providers

Why Engage Parents Parents are a child’s first teacher and know their child best All parents want their child to be happy, healthy, develop well and succeed in school Most parents realize they are key to their child’s healthy development Parents want information and support to know how to facilitate their child’s development and what to do if they have concerns

Components of the Campaign Communication Mobilization Partner Engagement Evaluation

Communication: Learn the Signs.

Communication Objectives Raise awareness of developmental milestones/learning behaviors and early warning signs of developmental delay Increase knowledge about activities that facilitate optimal development Increase knowledge about the benefits of early action and early intervention Increase parent-provider dialogue on the topic of developmental milestones and disorders Increase early action for developmental disorders

Campaign communication Parents of young children… Know that how their child plays, learns, speaks and acts offers important clues about their development – understand milestones Know the early warning signs of delay Monitor their child’s development Know the importance of acting early Initiate discussion with providers about development

Campaign Communication Early Educators… Know when children should reach certain developmental milestones/ learning behaviors – know what to look for and when Know the early warning signs of delay – when to be concerned Have self-efficacy to talk with parents about development Aid in monitoring development Have and use campaign materials

Campaign Communication Health Care Providers who serve young children… Initiate discussion with parent about development Are receptive to parental concern (and take action) Have and use campaign materials

Campaign Resources FREE Resource Kits – Parents – Early Educators – Health Care Providers Other FREE Materials CDC-INFO

Parent Resource Kit Fact Sheets (1 set) Informational Card (1) Growth Chart (1) Packaged in sealed white 9x12” envelope

Early Educator Resource Kit Growth Charts (3) Packaged in sealed white 9x12” envelope Flyers for Parents (50) Small Posters (3) CD with Fact sheetsFact sheets Milestones checklistsMilestones checklists Tips for talking to parentsTips for talking to parents

Health Care Professional Resource Kit Growth Charts (3) Packaged in sealed white box (12x9x3” box); approximately 4 lbs. Stand with 200 Informational Cards Small Posters (3) Fact Sheets (1 set)

Online Tools & Resources Printable Milestone Checklists E-Cards Videos, PSAs Website linking instructions, badges, buttons Interactive Milestones Chart “If You’re Concerned…”, “What to say”, “While you wait” Positive Parenting Tips “Go Out & Play! Kit” for early educators

Spanish-Language Information Resource kits All materials double- sided with English on one side, Spanish on the other Website – CDC-INFO

PSAs for Print, TV, Radio Print (sizeable) Television (30-second; English only; “tagable”) Radio (60-second; English & Spanish; “tagable”) Look for “Video, ECard, PSAs” on top left navigation bar. The webpage also includes instructions on how to request beta tapes, CDs, or resized versions of the print PSA.

Making the Materials Your Own Co-brand and customize for your efforts – You provide the information/logo – We drop it in and provide print-ready files – You take files to local printer Contact Katie Green

Findings from Environmental Scan Most common messages: Knowledge-based – educational material about milestones and development Less common messages: How to monitor development (knowing what to look for and when to be concerned) How to talk to your provider Why it is important to act early A clear gap exists for parents who have a concern about their child’s development, but may not have a diagnosis or receiving services.

Mobilization Catalyst in helping parents and professionals to learn the signs and act early

Act Early Regional Summits 2007 – Chicago, IL 2008 – Kansas City, MO – Albuquerque, NM 2009 – Nashville, TN – Salt Lake City, UT – The Bronx, NY – Sacramento, CA – Atlanta, GA 2010 – Seattle, WA – Baltimore, MD – Providence, RI – Indianapolis, IN

Objectives of the Regional Summits Increase awareness of the “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign and its impact in target regions Develop common understanding among stakeholders of opportunities, challenges and barriers to early identification and diagnosis Develop state plans to enhance state wide early identification, diagnosis and service provision and coordination for families of children with ASD

State Plan Outcomes 1.Collaborate with key stakeholders to increase outreach 2.Disseminate information 3.Increase interdisciplinary training 4.Develop effective, evidence based interventions and model approaches

State Teams Broad array of representation on teams: state public health, education, medical, early intervention, parents, advocacy, etc. Continuing to meet Expanding membership of team Collaborating with others

Campaign Partners Collaborators in Campaign Development

Campaign Partners Collaborators in Campaign Implementation HRSA/Maternal and Child Health Bureau Association for University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Act Early Summit State Teams Easter Seals Cooperative Extension Program – Just in Time Parenting Early Head Start/Zero to Three Indian Head Start National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA)

Campaign Partners Collaborators in Campaign Implementation, cont’d National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center Network of Autism Training and Technical Assistance Programs Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners National Association of Community Health Centers National Rural Health Association WIC Works (USDA) Project LAUNCH (HHS/SAMHSA) Safe Schools/Healthy Students (HHS, Ed, DoJ)

Campaign Awareness Among Those Who Have Heard of the Campaign… Pediatricians More confident discussing cognitive development with parents More likely to be aware of resources available for referral, treatment Likely to have resources to educate parents Parents* Know the developmental milestones their child should be reaching for his/her age Ask the nurse or doctor for information about child development Talk with their child’s teacher about their child’s development Feel confident that they can find services to help *Results are preliminary

How Can We Help You? Goals: Create materials that are relevant and useful to you Integrate campaign materials and messages into existing programs and service delivery systems Become involved in and support your state Act Early team Network with other service delivery systems serving young children

Questions and Discussion Contact Camille Smith: Cheryl Rhodes: For more information Twitter.com/CDCActearly CDC-INFO – click on “Regional Summits”

Campaign Materials: PSA “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Television PSA Click to open