Child Find to Evaluation: The partnership between Del Valle ISD Child Find and the University of Texas School of Nursing Children’s Wellness Center

The big idea

What started as a natural collaboration between two agencies developed into a formal practice in November 2000 when Del Valle I.S.D Child Find and the University of Texas School of Nursing Children’s Wellness Center joined forces to improve early identification of children with disabilities. The Children’s Wellness Center is a safe and conducive environment for parents to discuss developmental concerns about their children. The presence of Del Valle ISD Child Find at the facility improves early identification of children with disabilities as well as enables a continuity of care between school andhealth services.

Together families, social workers and evaluation personnel function as an authentic team in planning the best course of action for serving children. This innovative win-win collaboration serves:

Children with disabilities

Since the inception of this partnership, there has been a substantial increase in the number of children identified, evaluated and qualifying for services through the Pre-school Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD). With more children receiving a more comprehensive array of educational and medical services, the outlook is good for many of these students to make the transition to mainstream education settings at earlier ages.

Families

Provided with easy access to a single point of contact in a familiar setting families are empowered to participate in every aspect of the care and services their children receive. Families are also assisted in dealing with the many complex processes that surround the delivery of special needs care and services including:

• Health insurance issues
  
• Obtaining well-child care such as immunizations and vision/hearing screenings
  
• Scheduling medical appointments
  
• Accessing pertinent, up-to-date health information

The community of Del Valle

With more than 70 percent of the population living below the poverty line and upwards of 15 percent with limited English proficiency, many families in the community of Del Valle have been historically underserved by basic community services. Transportation, consistent medical care, and childcare are scarce among the residents consequently fewer families have the support it takes to identify the need for early intervention for their children. Child Find efforts that lead to early intervention can reduce to need for future or more intensive services.

Best practices in the evaluation of young children

Ultimately it is the evaluation process itself that most benefits from the partnership between Del Valle I.S.D. Child Find and the University of Texas School of Nursing Children’s Wellness Center and its commitment to Play Based assessment. Here are just some of the best practices that have emerged:

• The child’s family is an active participant in the evaluation process.
  
• The evaluation team involves a wide range of disciplines working together.
  
• The evaluation process is less frustrating to children since there are observed as they engage in activities that are familiar to them.
  
• The "whole child" is considered as the team observes a wide array of the child’s abilities.
• Evaluation results are not limited by the child’s failure to comply with standardized settings and materials.
• Team members have the opportunity to enlarge their skills sets through collaborative teaming with partners from other disciplines.

Partner Profiles

Child Find Coordinator

Coordinates all aspects of the Child Find effort. Specific duties include:

• Community outreach; taking every opportunity to provide information to the community about school services for children with disabilities.
• Interfacing with ECI and other relevant agencies.
• Conducting initial screenings and assisting families thru the special education referral process.
• Scheduling, coordinating, and participating as the LSSP in all Play Based Assessments
• Preparing follow-up summary reports
• Attending initial Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) meetings

University of Texas School of Nursing Children’s Wellness Center Social Worker

Serves as a liaison between families and the process. Specific duties include:

• Assisting families in all aspects of obtaining appropriate medical insurance and medical care
  
• Providing health information for the special education referral, including vision/hearing screenings.
• Assisting parents in locating and utilizing community services.
• Assisting families with on going medical appointments and needs.

School Evaluation Personnel

• Physical therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Speech therapist
• Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) teacher
• Licensed specialist in school psychology (LSSP)

Other valued assessment team members

• Child
• Family members
• Other interested stakeholders (at the family’s request)