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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Penny Hatcher, MSN, DrPH¹, Brianna Kopp, MPH¹, and Debbykay Peterson, MS². (1) MCH Section, Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 64882, 85 E Seventh Place, Suite 500, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882, 651-281-9937, penny.hatcher@health.state.mn.us, (2) Early Childhood Screening & Learning Readiness, Minnesota Department of Education, 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN 55113-4266

Public Health Nurses (PHNs) play an integral role in assuring that children receive necessary screenings, including developmental screening, to determine if these children need further assessment for potential disabilities or delays. Their role is important in meeting the Minnesota requirement that children receive a developmental screen prior to entering public school, or within 30 days of enrollment in kindergarten. However, PHNs conduct developmental screens on children of all ages from birth to age five, via home visits, Head Start, Early Periodic Screening (EPS), Women Infant & Children (WIC), and other public programs. Concern from PHNs led to the formation of a State work group to address several issues, including duplicative screenings, and the use of inappropriate and non-culturally sensitive developmental screening instruments.

The Minnesota Interagency Developmental Screening Task Force was convened in spring 2004 to assure the quality and effectiveness of and provide a standard of practice for the developmental component of the screening of children birth to age five. Three state agencies (Education, Health, and Human Services) partnered with the University of Minnesota, Irving B. Harris Center for Infant and Toddler Development. Criteria were established for developmental screening instrument selection. Information pertaining to each instrument was gathered from several sources, including instrument manuals, information provided by the developer or publisher, and literature reviews. Instrument properties were evaluated based on the established criteria, and approved or eliminated based on ability to meet or exceed the criteria.

Following extensive review, 12 instruments were approved/recommended for use in Minnesota's developmental screening programs. A website was created to provide information on these instruments, along with general information on developmental screening. Education sessions on overall developmental screening and specific recommended instruments, including a web-based module, are offered on a continuing basis to PHNs.

The recommendations made by the Task Force reinforce best-practices in developmental screening, while allowing flexibility in instrument selection based on the needs of parents, children and communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe methods to critically identify appropriate developmental screening tools.
• Identify partners at the state and local level for establishing recommended developmental screening practices.

Keywords: Screening Instruments, Public Health Nursing

Related Web page: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/mch/devscrn/index.html

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation