National Dissemination of Comprehensive, Coordinated Systems of Early Identification and Referral of Children at Risk for Developmental or Behavioral Problems, Phase 2

Award Amount: $340,709
Approval Date: April 15, 2008
Start Date: May 1, 2008
End Date: April 30, 2010
Connecticut Children's Medical Center
282 Washington Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06106-1299
Principal Investigator: Paul H. Dworkin, M.D.

Obtaining appropriate services for children identified with or at risk for developmental problems is often quite difficult. Connecticut's solution has been to provide care coordination through Help Me Grow, a live toll-free telephone service that utilizes a statewide database of community services. As a result of the program's success, many other states and communities, as well as some national organizations, have a keen interest in replicating it. Although a toolkit on the Fund's Web site has helped others to begin the replication process, further progress will require hands-on technical assistance. This project will allow Help Me Grow staff to help at least five jurisdictions create similar centralized care coordination systems for child development services and to create and revise resources for a national audience.