The Oregon Assuring Better Child Health and Development (ABCD) Early Childhood Screening Initiative

The Oregon Assuring Better Child Health and Development (ABCD) Early Childhood Screening Initiative is a technical assistance grant funded by the Commonwealth Fund, administered by National Academy of State Health Policy (NASHP) to implement standardized developmental screening. The Oregon ABCD Early Childhood Screening Initiative is part of a National Screening Academy of 18 states focused on implementing policies and practices that integrate valid and standardized tools into preventive health care practice. The primary focus of this initiative is to increase use of developmental screening tools as a part of well-child care provided by child health providers.

The goals of the Oregon ABCD Initiative are to:

1. Improve identification of infants and children with developmental problems
2. Increase standardized developmental surveillance and screening in preventive primary care
3. Clarify and recommend state policies to support improved screening and referral services
4. Improve referral linkages between child health providers and early intervention services

Update - March 2009: Oregon's ABCD Initiative is highlighted in NASHP's report on the ABCD Screening Academy:

"State Policy Improvements that Support Effective Identified of Children At-Risk for Developmental Delay"