Welcome to the 2nd Annual Developmental Monitoring and Screening Week in Massachusetts.

It’s a week devoted to raising awareness about the importance of monitoring and screening young children’s emotional, physical, and cognitive development.  

“Awareness and action are crucial!” the United Way of Massachusetts Bay (UWMB) says in a new blog post. “Collectively, we are working to ensure every child thrives and reaches their fullest potential.”

Screening Week is a collaborative effort promoted by Strategies for Children, MA Act Early, Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children, and UWMB through its DRIVE initiative. 

Fortunately, there’s a lot of good news to share this week. Screenings identify children who need services, and these services can help young children achieve their potential. One example shared in the blog is a 1½ year old girl enrolled in a program at the Girls and Boys Club of Dorchester. A screening revealed that the girl’s communications skills were delayed. Thanks to an early intervention program, the girl developed a stronger vocabulary and more confidence, growth that prepared her to do well in preschool. 

“Developmental monitoring,” UWMB’s blog explains, “is a continuous process that enables caregivers and professionals to observe and document milestones over time to ensure children are progressing as expected.” And screenings involve “using standardized tools to detect potential delays or disorders, allowing for timely intervention and support.”

Timeliness is essential. 

“Early detection and intervention, including therapies and tailored educational support, can significantly impact a child’s developmental journey,” the blog says.  “Every child should have the opportunity to benefit from this powerful approach.”

Promoting screenings is also an important way to address parents’ concerns. As Laura McGowan, an advocate for families, explains, parents and guardians may not access these services because they worry that their children may be stigmatized.

To learn more, be sure to check out additional information about Screening Week on MA Act Early’s website, including a schedule of events and fliers about hosting an event during screening week and about free “lunch and learn” training sessions. 

This website is maintained by Kate Barlow, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Act Early Ambassador for Massachusetts. Barlow also co-facilitates a workgroup of The Early Childhood Agenda that focuses on agenda priority #4.

“Priority 4 of this agenda is actively working to increase access to developmental screening and monitoring, referral and service through policy change,” Titus DosRemedios, Strategies’ deputy director says in the United Way blog.

Please share all these resources with your social and professional networks because raising awareness about monitoring and screening is a great way to promote successful outcomes for young children.