Program Overview

Overview

The Grow With Me program (Crece Conmigo) serves as a resource to identify and prevent developmental delays for children ages 0 to 5. The program offers child developmental screenings and parent support to find and connect with services that your child and your family need.

Program Components

• Developmental Screenings
• Follow-up Services
• Additional Resources
• Screening Fairs

Developmental Screenings

A screening is a short test that helps you understand how your child is developing in relation to other children of the same age.

Importance of Screening

In the United States, 26% of children ages 0 to 5 are at risk for developmental delay. Grow With Me (Crece Conmigo) offers families support to put young children on a stronger path toward school readiness by providing developmental screenings, referrals to needed services, and guidance to prevent developmental problems.

Risks and Costs

There are no risks associated with the screening appointment. If the child is not feeling well, becomes upset during the screening, the session will be terminated and may be rescheduled based on the evaluator's discretion. There is no cost for the screening, as it is paid for by the Center or partner organizations.

Screening Process

A Grow With Me developmental specialist will conduct a private, one-on-one screening with your child. The screening identifies children at risk for delays in the following areas:

• Communication: hearing, understanding, and using sounds and words
• Gross motor: moving, sitting, walking, and overall large muscle use
• Fine motor: using hands and fingers
• Problem-solving: playing with toys and solving problems
• Personal-social: skills for daily living and interacting with others
• Social-emotional: expressing feelings and getting along with others

Screening Duration and Benefits

Sessions take around 45 minutes to 1 hour. As a parent, you will receive information about your child's development, and if any concerns arise during the screening process, you will be consulted.

Registration and Screening Session

You will need to fill out a registration and a consent form. Nothing is required for the screening session, but both the caregiver and the child need to attend the evaluation appointment.

Post-Screening Process

After the developmental screening is done, results are shared with parents, recommendations and activities are provided, and assistance is offered to connect with services if needed.

Follow-up Services

After the developmental and social-emotional screenings are conducted, families are offered individualized case support to assist them in connecting with recommended services if needed. Information and guidance are provided for parents to help ensure they understand the system and how to advocate for their children. If a referral is needed, the family is connected to services, with follow-up calls scheduled to check the referral status.

Additional Resources

• Zero to Three
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Act Early

Screening Fairs

To reach an even greater number of children and provide comprehensive screening services, CCF conducts periodic Screening Fairs in high-need Dallas locations. Partnering with UT Dallas' Callier Center for Communication Disorders, the Screening Fairs offer free developmental, hearing, vision, language, and/or autism screenings for young children and their families who do not have access to this array of services. Playful-learning activities are provided for children while they wait to be screened.