<DIV><P>As a professional who works with young children, you know how early detection of delays and disabilities can change the course of a child's whole life. But in today's communities, many programs and providers still struggle to coordinate their screening efforts so children who need services don't slip through the cracks. Integrated, community-wide screening and early detection/child find systems are the answer—and this is the first book with the systematic, big-picture guidance and specific information you need to develop your own system or strengthen and refine your existing system. </P><P>Developed by early childhood, medical, and social service experts in screening and assessment, this groundbreaking book helps your community establish an effective early detection system that's comprehensive and low-cost; encourages close collaboration among health, social service, and educational agencies; and meets each child's whole continuum of needs, from universal screening to community services. You'll get detailed guidance on <B>6 key components</B> of successful community-wide early detection: </P><OL><LI> Program goals</LI><LI>Community public awareness</LI><LI>Centralized contact and referral</LI><LI>Developmental-behavioral screening system</LI><LI>Follow-up</LI><LI>Ongoing program evaluation</LI></OL><P>You'll also discover the critical foundations and procedures for:</P><UL><LI><B>connecting everyone who screens children</B> across settings into a single unified system </LI><LI>ensuring that all parts of the system <B>align and work seamlessly</B> together</LI><LI><B>selecting and using</B> the best developmental and behavioral <B>screening measures</B></LI><LI><B>monitoring your system</B> so that all parts keep functioning smoothly and children get the services they need</LI><LI>improving <B>screening and referrals across diverse settings</B>: early childhood education, social service, and medical home settings</LI><LI>implementing a successful <B>statewide early detection system</B> (includes specific examples from 10 key states)</LI></UL><P>With this adaptable, integrated plan for early detection/child find, your community will ensure that delays are caught quickly and all young children and their families get the services and supports they need to thrive. </P><P>A featured book in our </P></DIV>