Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service

In response to the COVID 19 Pandemic we are providing support for early childhood systems in Connecticut through Act Early to support recovery and strengthen resilience skills, behaviors, and resources of children, families, and communities during mitigation and recovery efforts.

Our focus is to provide support to families with young children across the state by bolstering collaboration among early childhood programs and systems to improve the four “steps” of early identification of developmental delays and disabilities (parent-engaged developmental monitoring using LTSAE, developmental screening, referral for early intervention services, and receipt of early intervention services), including autism, and working to improve resiliency skills and behaviors among families.

Year One

• Stakeholder group formed of Early Childhood professionals
• Partner with Reach out and Read CT to distribute Children’s Books from CDC to CT Community Health Centers ( See attached pics)
• Partner with CT Diaper Bank to disseminate materials for families from Learn the Signs Act Early
• Partner with Sparkler app to add LTSAE milestones for families
• Parent Survey
• Development of Memorandum of Understanding between Early Head Start and CT to Birth to Three to ensure a streamlined referral process
• Engage family and community leaders in the development and implementation of activities to increase screening rates
• Training around Developmental Monitoring and Ages and Stages
• Developmental Playbook for Families – a playbook to help families identify milestones, red flags and play activities.
• PSA’s by Connecticut Partners
  • Birth to Three
  • CT State Department of Education
  • 211 Connecticut
  • Healthy Families America CT