Abstract
Background
Low-income children are at risk for under-detection of developmental disabilities
(DD). Women's Infants and Children's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC)
clinics see low-income children regularly in early childhood and could be an important
source of referrals to developmental services.
Methods
This was a site-randomized trial of an intervention to train WIC staff in early identification
of DD's, using CDC's Learn the Signs Act Early (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. Control sites received no
training and continued their usual care and referral 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, using data obtained Oregon's EI/ECSE program.
Data for 46 children referred to EI/ECSE were obtained.
Results
Overall, 3 of 4 intervention sites increased their referrals to EI/ECSE, 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.
In the intervention arm, referrals increased for both boys and girls and for all ages.
Conclusion
This brief intervention with WIC staff led to short-term increases in EI referrals
and evaluations. Such interventions may hold promise for reducing disparities.
Abbreviations:
DDs (Developmental disabilities), WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), EI/ECSE (Part C Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
January 6,
2023
Received:
June 30,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Academic Pediatric Association
