See Module 4, Handout 3: 5 Points of Entry to Programs & Service

Module 4, Handout 3: 5 Points of Entry to Programs & Service

There are five main pathways children can be referred to for assessment and services:

1. Pediatric care system

-Primary health providers are the most frequent service providers for zero to five age range

2. Mental health system

-Mental Health professionals (sometimes these are interns) play a key role as service providers in community mental health agencies

3. Child care and Education system

- childcare workers have extensive opportunities to observe children and identify mental health problems early

4. Child Welfare System

-child protection workers primary focus is on physical safety of children. This can lead to premature and emotionally costly foster care placement decision because they do not have systematic training in early development, trauma identification, and guidelines for referral to mental health and developmental services.

5. Developmental Services

– The federal law, Individuals with Disabilities Educations Act (IDEA), and the California Early Intervention Services Act (CEISA) (see Handout 2 of this Module) require that states meet requirements to provide early intervention services to children with developmental delays and challenges. In California, systems responsible for providing assessments and services include the Regional Center and school district.

Reference

Larrieu, J.A. and Zeanah, C.H. (2004). Treating infant-parent relationships in the context of maltreatment: An integrated, systems approach. A. Saner, S. McDonagh, K. Roesenblaum (Eds.) Treating Parent-Infant Relationship Problems. 243–264. New York: Guilford Press