Child Outreach

Child Outreach Screening

Beginning at age three, your child should be screened annually to ensure that he or she meets age-specific developmental milestones.   We encourage you to take advantage of this free service offered to three, four, and five year olds each year by the Northwest Special Education Region.

What areas will my child’s screening address?

• Vision

• Hearing

• Language

• Social Development

• General Development such as motor skills, memory, etc.

The screening provides a review of child’s skills in these areas, compared to standard milestones or expectations. This screening is different from a medical check-up, and does not take the place of visits to the doctor. This screening is in addition to your child’s medical care, and aims to ensure that your child is typically developing when compared to his/her peers.

What happens after my child is screened?
The screening results are reviewed by the district’s Early Childhood Coordinator and forwarded to you, the child’s parent/guardian.  You may be asked to bring your child back for a rescreening. Several factors including sleepiness, crankiness, illness, or an off day can impact the results. Rescreening gives our screeners another opportunity to assess your child’s skills when they are at their best. If concerns emerge in a given area of development, you will be invited to a meeting to discuss how you and your child can be supported. The results of the screening are kept confidential unless you would like them to be mailed to your health care provider, your child’s nursery school, childcare center or other service provider.  Screening and early identification ensure children a better chance of success once they enter kindergarten.

How do I schedule a screening for my child?

Please contact Mrs. Julie LePain at 401-647-7560 or  childoutreach@northwestri.org  to schedule your child’s screening. We encourage you to schedule a screening once each year while your child is three, four, and five.  

Are you interested in having your child attend one of the community preschools as a community peer?

We are seeking children ages 3 and 4 to serve as community peers in our preschool classes.  Our preschool classes have both morning and afternoon sessions that follow the school district calendar. Enrollment is open through lottery to residents of Scituate, Foster, and Glocester. The preschool programs are primarily designed for children with disabilities; however, typically developing children who enjoy a well rounded, developmentally appropriate preschool class also may enroll to serve as language and role models for the students with disabilities. Our community partners make up 51% of the classroom enrollment. 

For further information, please contact Mrs. Julie LePain at 401-647-7560 or childoutreach@northwestri.org