<< Return to Toolkit Homepage

In this Developmental Screening & Referral Toolkit for Family Serving Agencies you’ll learn the phases to implement a new developmental screening initiative, or refine existing screening practices to strengthen quality and effectiveness within a pediatric medical setting. Each phase is comprised of a series of steps. Click on each section below to see details and materials. Appendices provide additional information and materials to support implementation.

Download Early Screening, Better Outcomes: Developmental Screening & Referral Toolkit for Family Serving Agencies (PDF)

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Phases of Screening Implementation

Phase 1: Plan

Step 1 – Assemble implementation team 

Step 2 – Set goals 

Step 3 – Create a Developmental Screening Plan

a. Determine which agency programs will provide screenings

b. Select and obtain screening measure(s) 

c.  Determine screening schedule

d.  Integrate screening tools into the client chart  

f. Determine agency processes, workflow and staff roles 

Step 4 – Provide developmental conversations and developmental guidance  

Step 5 – Develop referral and linkage plan/workflow 

a. Customize referral resources

b. Customize referral algorithm 

Step 6 – Pilot workflow and screening 

Step 7 – Draft implementation timeline

Phase 2: Launch

Step 8 – Develop training plan and conduct training 

Step 9 – Launch implementation 

Phase 3: Evaluate, Refine, Spread, Sustain

Step 10 – Track quality improvement 

Step 11 – Spread to other agency programs (if applicable)

Appendices

Appendix A: After Screening Letter: ASQ-3 and ASQ: SE-2

Appendix B: Referral Handout

Appendix C: Resources for Navigating Service Systems for Young Children

Appendix D: Parent Phone Survey

Appendix E: Training Materials

a. Developmental Screening Overview Family Service Agencies (Downloadable PPTX)

b. Developmental Conversations with Parents Family Service Agencies (Downloadable PPTX)

c. Screening Measure Administration Scoring (Downloadable PPTX)

d. Linkages to Resources Family Service Agencies (Downloadable PPTX)

Appendix F: Training Worksheets

Create your own user feedback survey

We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following family serving agencies that participated in First Connections and contributed to the development and testing of the toolkit materials.

                                         

Suggested Citation: Harley, E., Quebles, I., Escamilla, C., Poulsen, M.K., Wheeler, B.Y., & Williams, M.E. (2019). Better Screening, Better Outcomes: Developmental Screening and Linkage Program Implementation Toolkit for Family Serving Agencies. First 5 LA.




Women’s History Month 2025: Jan Fish, Ed.D.

Women’s History Month 2025: Jan Fish, Ed.D.

March 27,2025 In celebration of Women’s History Month and this year’s theme — Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations — First 5 LA is shining a spotlight on remarkable women leading the way in early childhood education (ECE). In this bio...

Women’s History Month 2025: Denise Kennedy, Ph.D. 

Women’s History Month 2025: Denise Kennedy, Ph.D. 

March 27, 2025 In celebration of Women’s History Month and this year’s theme — Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations — First 5 LA is shining a spotlight on remarkable women leading the way in early childhood education (ECE). In this bio...

After the Fires: Rebuilding LA for Young Children

After the Fires: Rebuilding LA for Young Children

By, Ruel Nolledo | Freelance Writer February 26, 2025 It's a crisp, bright February morning in Robinson Park, where Pasadena's annual Black History Festival is underway. Despite the fires that raged just a mile north of the park 15 days earlier, people are gathered...

Celebrating Black History Month 2025

Celebrating Black History Month 2025

February 2025 This February, First 5 LA joins families and communities across Los Angeles in celebrating Black History Month. Originally conceived in 1926 as a way of preserving and sharing Black life, history, and culture, the event received its federal designation...

Translate