Background

The Early Childhood Action Network (ECAN), the Family Infant Toddler Interagency Coordinating Council, Envision New Mexico, Parents Reaching Out, New Mexico Pediatric Society and the Center for Development and Disability convened three different statewide forums between 2005 and 2006 to obtain information from critical early childhood stakeholder groups and families about what changes in policies, programs and practices are needed to ensure that no child reaches kindergarten with an undetected developmental condition. Funding from the Commonwealth Fund supported bringing expertise from the Assuring Better Child Health and Development (ABCD) developmental screening project in North Carolina to New Mexico. The New Mexico Developmental Screening Initiative is an outgrowth of this work.

DSI creates the foundation for wide application of training and networking across disciplines throughout the system of care serving young children.