Keywords

CAPTA, child welfare, early intervention, IDEA Part C

 

Authors

  1. Dicker, Sheryl JD
  2. Gordon, Elysa MSW, JD

Abstract

This article highlights strategies that link the child welfare, court, and Early Intervention systems to enhance the healthy development of young children in foster care. It spotlights the need for infants and young children in foster care to be referred to the Early Intervention Program (EIP) and outlines the importance of implementing the new Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Part C referral provisions. It outlines the barriers to the EIP for maltreated children and identifies strategies to ensure referral and successful navigation of the EIP. The authors will describe several innovative, collaborative programs that link child protective services, health, mental health, and developmental services and provide cross-system training and funding to facilitate early intervention diagnosis and treatment for young children in foster care.