Published: October 30, 2009 05:59 pm      

United Way initiative assesses early childhood development

The Metro United Way is offering Ages and Stages to parents of Southern Indiana and the Metro Area. It is a free tool to help parents evaluate the development of their children.

“It is vitally important for families to know where their child is developmentally,” David Caldwell, director of Success by 6, said. “We want to make sure we are checking on children as soon as possible to see if there are any developmental delays we might catch, or any need for intervention, or any specific services. There are a lot of families that are catching those things early and have pediatricians and child care providers who really help support that. We also know there are a lot of families that do not have those same supports.”

This tool is a set of questionnaires for children from birth to age 5. After completion and submission of the questionnaires, Metro United Way will provide parents with the status of their child’s development as well as helpful tips or agencies that can help keep the child on track to kindergarten success.

“We also think parents need support regardless of where their child is,” Caldwell said. “Whether they have the potential of some developmental need that needs to be identified or if they are on the bubble in terms of developing on track but need some pointers. We also want the kids who are right on track for their families to know that.”

The initiative began in June and 300 parents have requested the Ages and Stages questionnaires and 25 percent of them have completed the process. Cori Gandasky, Metro United Way community coordinator, said it is important for parents to know that this is an easy, simple exercise that can be a fun activity to do with a child.

Metro United Way hopes this tool will give them insight to where needs and services need to be dispersed throughout the community.

“We hope to get a picture of where young kids are in our community,” Caldwell said. “One of the things we at Success by 6 has recognized is that once kids get into the school system we have some really pretty good information about them. We know test scores and demographic information and that helps us as community members and social service providers to make decisions where we focus our efforts. We don’t have that same level of information on kids before they start school. So kids birth to 5 we don’t know how they are doing across the board. “

Any parent interested in the Ages and Stages tool can call 2-1-1, Metro United Way’s information and referral system, or visit the Metro United Way Web site at www.metrounitedway.org.

“Our goal is to make families feel more confident about how they are interacting with their child on a regular basis and how they are raising their child,” Caldwell said. “We know families regardless of if you are a first time parent or you have a couple kids, when you have that young child you are hungry for information and help and support in raising that child. Anything that is there to make you feel more confident in that and to make you feel like you are doing a better job is a useful tool. So in really long term that is what we are hoping that more families will feel like they are doing everything they need to do on a regular basis to make sure their child is to ready to succeed in school and in life. “