Assuring Better Child Health & Development

Assuring Better Health and Development (ABCD) is a community-based initiative and evidence-informed model, that helps primary health care practices perform general developmental and autism-specific screening, and connect children to specialized therapies and other early intervention services. The program increases the number of children who receive needed early intervention services (birth to age 5) by helping their primary health care providers institute sustainable office practices that support the performance of screening, referral and follow-up.

Medical practices that participate in ABCD receive in-office training and technical assistance, regular progress reports, developmental screening tools, and parent education materials. Training and on-site technical assistance is provided to medical practices to facilitate the identification of children who may benefit from early intervention services. Services are provided to physicians and their staff during practice hours to support the integration of standardized, validated developmental screening and referral services into well-child visits, the provision of information and education to families regarding their child's development and collaboration with community partners to ensure follow-up to referral and services. This project will also develop and disseminate appropriate materials to the participating practices.

Cabarrus County Practices participating in ABCD:

• Cabarrus Family Medicine - Concord
• Cabarrus Family Medicine - Harrisburg
• Cabarrus Family Medicine - Kannapolis
• Cabarrus Health Alliance
• Cabarrus Pediatrics
• Concord Children's Clinic
• NH: Lakeside Primary Care - Speedway
• Suburban Pediatrics - Kannapolis
• Suburban Pediatrics - Renaissance
• Weddington Internal Medicine & Pediatrics

• ABCD Resource Materials List
• NC Infant-Toddler Program (children under 3 years): Provides support and services for families and their children, birth to three, who have special needs. Referrals are made to the Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) locally. CDSA - 1065 Vinehaven Drive, Concord, NC 28025 - (704) 786-9181.
• Preschool Child Find (children ages 3+): Provides a free screening and/or evaluation for all children ages 3-5 years of age suspected of having a developmental delay or disability. Referrals are made to the local school system.

For more information, contact Starla Hatley at (704) 490-0976.

General Health

Health and Early Intervention

Early intervention and health are essential for children with developmental needs and timing is critical in order for them to fullfill their potential.  A healthy start is vital to a child's future!

Child Care Health Consultant

Child Care Health Consultants provide training and on-site assistance to 70 child care providers to improve the health and safety of children and prevent the spread of communicable disease. Services are provided by registered nurses. 

As health care professionals with specialized training and experience in child health issues, Child Care Health Consultants can provide expert guidance and technical assistance to child care providers on a wide range of health and safety topics.  In addition, the Child Care Health Consultant also has the training to access appropriate resources to assist the child care provider in successfully including children with special health, medical and/or behavior needs.

What CCHCs Can Do For You

Child Care Health Consultants partner with providers to:

• Assess health and safety needs and practices in the child care setting
• Help caregivers develop strategies for caring for children with special health needs
• Establish policies and procedures for health/safety emergencies
• Provide health education and wellness programs, as well as health screenings
• Offer solutions for managing injuries or infectious diseases within the child care setting
• Connect caregivers and families with community health care resources and experts
• Provide up-to-date information on the latest guidelines, policies, and information regarding child health and safety
• Offer hands-on support through telephone advice or regular on-site visits
• Conduct child care staff training

Click here to view training schedule.

ASSURING BETTER HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT (ABCD)

Improves the quality of child development services in primary care medical practices by enhancing developmental screening and referral for children ages birth-5 in the context of the medical home. Helping to Identify children for early intervention services and making sure they receive the needed services.

For more information, contact Starla Hatley at (704) 262-1058.