9.4 Providing Information on Developmental Screenings

Lead Agencies must provide information on developmental screenings to parents as part of the intake process for families participating in CCDF and to child care providers through training and education. This information must include: • Existing resources and services that the State can make available in conducting developmental screenings and providing referrals to services when appropriate for children who receive child care assistance, including the coordinated use of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment program under the Medicaid program carried out under Title XIX of the Social Security Act and developmental screening services available under IDEA Part B, Section 619 and Part C; and, • A description of how a family or child care provider can use these resources and services to obtain developmental screenings for children who receive subsidies and who might be at risk of cognitive or other developmental delays, which can include social, emotional, physical, or linguistic delays. Information on developmental screenings, as in other consumer education information, must be accessible for individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities. 9.4.1 Developmental screenings Does the Lead Agency collect and disseminate information on the following: a. Existing resources and services available for obtaining developmental screening for parents receiving CCDF, the general public, and child care providers. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: b. Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment program under the Medicaid program—carried out under Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.)— and developmental screening services available under Part B, Section 619 and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.). [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: c. Developmental screenings to parents receiving a subsidy as part of the intake process. [x] Yes. If yes, include the information provided, ways it is provided, and any partners in this work: The Maryland State Department of Education is the lead agency for the Center for Disease Control's Learn the Signs Act Early initiative. The Division of Early Childhood partners with the Office of Early Intervention and Special Education to distribute the Center for Disease Control's Milestones Tracker information, as well as additional materials to promote awareness among parents and child care programs and providers about the critical importance of early identification, screening, and referral resources. The Maryland State Department of Education also developed, and is in the process of distributing, a document with the scholarship approval packet to parents receiving child care scholarships. Information about developmental screenings is available on the Division of Early Childhood website. Providers are strongly encouraged to conduct developmental screenings for enrolled children. Developmental screenings are not a regulatory requirement. Information is provided to providers and families regarding best practices as it relates to developmental screening and the importance of administering them. It is ￿best practice’ to administer and share the results with families to ensure that proper referrals are made if appropriate and to understand their child’s present level of development and how to continue supporting them along the developmental continuum. Effective July 1, 2022, all providers serving children under the age of three years old, must notify parents on an annual basis of the Maryland Infant and Toddler Program via a brochure on the Agency’s website. The brochure describes the program and has contact information for all regions of the state. The brochure may be accessed at the following link: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/system/files/filedepot/2/infant_and_to ddler_program_brochure_final.pdf. [ ] No. If no, describe: d. How families receiving CCDF services or child care providers receiving CCDF can use the available resources and services to obtain developmental screenings for children at risk for cognitive or other developmental delays. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: 10 Program Integrity and Accountability Program integrity and accountability activities are integral to the effective administration of the CCDF program. As stewards of federal funds, Lead Agencies must ensure strong and effective internal controls to prevent fraud and maintain continuity of services to meet the needs of children and families. In order to operate and maintain a strong CCDF program, regular evaluation of the program’s internal controls as well as comprehensive training for all entities involved in the administration of the program are imperative. In this section, Lead Agencies will describe their internal controls and how those internal controls effectively ensure integrity and accountability. These accountability measures should address reducing fraud, waste, and abuse, including program violations and administrative errors and should apply to all CCDF funds.