The Child Development Center (CDC) offers free developmental screenings at NO COST to families. In order for a child to qualify for free services, the following steps have to take place: 1. Participation in a developmental screening, 2.Formal referral for evaluation, 3. Evaluation and assessment, 4.Eligibility determination and 5. An IFSP or IEP meeting.
In simpler terms, this is the path a child follows to qualify for free services: After participating in a free screening at CDC, a report will be generated which explains the child's development on an age scale. If the score shows the possibility of a developmental delay, then the CDC screening team will refer the child for further (free) testing at CDC. If the subsequent testing shows there is a developmental delay, then an eligibility criteria checklist is completed. If the child meets the criteria determined by the rules, then they in fact qualify for free services. At this time a meeting, known as an IFSP (individual family service plan) for children birth through age 2, or an IEP (individual education plan) for children ages 3 through 5 takes place. At this IFSP or IEP meeting, the family and CDC staff work together to decide what interventions are needed, and create a plan of action.
