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Developmental Screening and Referral

While screening rates in Colorado are among the top three nationally and higher than the national average (49.9% vs. 31.1%, respectively), early intervention and preschool special education data indicate that only five percent of Colorado children aged 0-5 are currently receiving developmental services. Colorado cannot currently track, in aggregate, critical interim measures between screening and services, such as the percentage of children who receive and do not pass the screen, as well as the percentage who are referred for further assessment based on the screening results

To increase the percentage of children in Colorado receiving age-appropriate developmental screening, Maternal and Child Health staff at CDPHE are focused on the following two strategies: 

  1. identifying and implementing policy and systems changes that improve developmental screening, referral, and services, and
  2. supporting individualized technical assistance to local communities on best practices in early childhood developmental screening, referral, and intervention services. 

CDPHE contracts with Assuring Better Child Health and Development (ABCD), a statewide nonprofit focused on improving the lives of Colorado children through early identification of developmental needs. ABCD are experts in implementing best practices in screening and referral systems to support implementing our strategies.

Information for families

Assuring Better Child Health and Development is a statewide nonprofit focused on improving the lives of Colorado children through early identification of developmental needs and is the state program lead for Healthy Steps, which is the only program of its kind that places a child development specialist within a pediatric primary care team.

From birth to 5 years, children should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move. Learn the Signs. Act Early can help you track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern. There are resources on the website, including a free app for iOS and Android available in English and Spanish.

Child Find is part of Colorado's system for identifying children who are suspected of having a developmental delay. If a young child is not meeting typical developmental milestones, or if someone is concerned about the child’s growth or learning, Child Find teams will evaluate how the child plays, learns, speaks, behaves, and moves. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine if there is a significant delay or if there is a need for early intervention or special education services. Evaluations conducted by Child Find teams are at no cost to parents.

  • Child Find. (Colorado Department of Education website)

The Early Intervention Colorado for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Delays provides support and services to children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families from birth until the child’s third birthday. Early Intervention Colorado can help families learn ways to support and promote their child’s development within their everyday routines and activities.