Toddler and Preschool Developmental Assessment Clinics: Enhancing Student PHN Clinical Experiences While Serving the Community

Toddler/Preschool development assessment clinics were developed as a screening service for community parents and as a clinical experience for baccalaureate nursing students. Working with community partners, such as Family Resource Centers, Head Start,community clinics and school readiness programs, development clinics were advertised by flyers and announcements from public health at community partner sites. Student public health nurses worked with experienced mentors to set up the clinic to provide screening areas as well as areas for story time and for demonstration of age-appropriate play for parents to use with their children. Student public health nurses assessed development of toddlers and preschoolers using the Ages and Stages developmental screening tool. Parents received recommendations for appropriate stimulation for their children, as well as a copy of Kid Builders, a parenting activity manual. Referrals to community agencies were provided to the families engaged when needs were identified. Children identified as having possible developmental delays were referred to appropriate agencies in the community for further follow-up. Outcomes of the screening clinics included 36 children receiving developmental assessments. 3 children were identified with possible developmental delays. Student public health nurses developed increased competence in using the Ages and Stages developmental assessment and in providing age and development appropriate anticipatory guidance. This event received positive comments from parents and from the students. The developmental clinics will continue to assure primary and secondary intervention experiences for students and to address the community need for developmental screening to insure school readiness.