Learn how to engage families in your screening program using this toolkit.
Parents will be more comfortable with screening when they understand how it benefits them and their child. Taking time to provide a sensitive introduction to all the families in your screening program is the first step to helping them participate. A provider’s role is to support parents to complete ASQ and/or ASQ:SE and discuss results together to learn more about a child’s development.
In this Toolkit
Step 1 What You Need to Know
Step 2 Introduce Screening to Parents
Step 3 Using OSP with Parents
Step 4 Discussing Results with Parents
Step 5 Training Resources
What You Need to Know
The Oregon Screening Project (OSP) is a parent-driven public service that is unique in Oregon. The purpose of the OSP is to enhance early developmental screening opportunities for families in Oregon by making it easy for parents to complete the questionnaires at any time. Completing the questionnaires is easy for most parents. Providers should use these tools to learn about the questionnaires, their purpose, how to review them with parents, and how to discuss next steps and parent concerns.
Introduce Screening to Parents
Parents will be more comfortable with screening when they understand how it benefits them and their child. A provider’s role is to support parents to complete ASQ and/or ASQ:SE. As an early learning provider, you have the unique opportunity to invite every child in your program to participate in checking their child’s development. Use these questionnaires to learn more about each of your families – what is important to them, their family practices, and goals for their child.
Using OSP with Parents
Your relationship with your families is the first priority. Engaging with parents may take some time. Be sure to allow parents to participate in your screening program when they are ready. You are an important resource for parents, and your support plays a big role in giving children in your community the best chance at success. As an early learning provider, you may partner with parents to complete the questionnaires if you know the child well and have parents’ permission.
Discussing Results with Parents
When reviewing ASQ with parents, you may find that you have a different experience of the child, or parents need more information about an item, they may have needed to try an activity, or there may be items they did not answer for many reasons. All these considerations may change the total result. This is an essential part of reviewing the questionnaires with parents. Be sure to offer a convenient time to review their questionnaires as soon as possible after completion. Be sure the setting is private and reassure parents that the meeting is confidential. Review the purpose of screening and let parents take the lead in deciding the next steps.
Training Resources
Learn more about implementing developmental screening at your programs and working with parents. You may also contact your local Early Learning Hub for more resource information.
ASQ Info Site
Help parents get comfortable with screening. Has your program ever had difficulty getting parents to participate in ASQ®-3 or ASQ®:SE-2 screenings? Reluctance is often due to a lack of understanding about why screening is necessary, what to expect, or how answers will be used.
Central Coordination of Child Care Resource & Referral
Central Coordination of Child Care Resource & Referral (CCCCR&R) provides statewide leadership and collaboration through responsive technical assistance (TA) to the 15 regional Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) programs.
Spark
Spark is Oregon’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS). For childcare providers and parent educators, Spark is your professional development source. It is a voluntary program designed to support and recognize high-quality early childhood care and education programs.
Oregon Registry Online Training Calendar
Training classes on a variety of subjects available across the state.
FAQs
Yes, “screening” can mean many things to many people. It’s important to take time to introduce “Developmental Screening” as an educational process, a way to look at how a child is doing, identify strengths, and learn if parents have any concerns and if any areas need support. Acknowledge their concerns and be clear about how this can benefit their child. Just like getting regular physical checkups and dental checkups, this is an important activity to catch children early and provide timely support. Invite parents to participate when they are ready - take time to build trust and relationships.