Before You Begin

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Before You Begin

Navigate the planning phase from start to finish

The planning phase lays the critical groundwork for a successful screening and monitoring program. Navigating these important first steps with a great collaborative team can help you sidestep common challenges when your system is up and running.

On this page, you’ll find resources to guide you through the planning phase, from determining your goals to choosing the screener that’s right for you.

Before You Begin

Preparing Your Program

Screening

Supporting Success

Step 1Set the Stage for Success

Start your screening program by answering key questions.

Start your screening program by answering key questions. What’s your target population? What are the major goals and objectives of your screening program? What resources do you have, and what will you need? How will you get parents, providers, and community partners on board? Here are some resources to help you ask the right questions and determine your answers.

Discover Screening Resources

Screening Success Decisions Guide

Planning your screening program

Connecting Data Across Systems

Screening Tool Completion Methods

View All Resources

How They Did It

Alaska and ASQ Online: A case study

See the beginning of this story to learn how Alaska started their mission to strengthen their screening efforts, from choosing ASQ to devising an implementation plan. See the “Growing and Strengthening” section of this case story to learn how they trained staff.

Growing Strong with ASQ Online: HMG Michigan’s Statewide Screening Successes

In the “Why HMG chose ASQ Online” section of this case story, you’ll learn how southeast Michigan set up their universal and integrated screening system.

STEP 2Choose Your Tool

Choosing a screener consistent with your goals and resources can feel like an overwhelming task.

Choosing a screener consistent with your goals and resources can feel like an overwhelming task. There are many factors to consider, including cost, compatibility with your existing services, logistics of administration and scoring, and extent of parental involvement. Here, you’ll find helpful resources on selecting the screening tool that’s right for your program.

Discover Screening Resources

Birth to 5: Compendium of screening measures for young children

Why Parent Report?

Considerations When Selecting a Screening Tool

AAP Screening Tool Finder

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How They Did It

LACOE Head Start

Many factors go into choosing the right screening tool. Here, the LACOE Head Start preschool program shares eight reasons why they chose ASQ.

STEP 3Set Program Guidelines

After you choose your screener, you’ll want to set some guidelines.

After you choose your screener, you’ll want to set some guidelines. Determine your administration methods, figure out how often you’ll screen, and select your criteria for referrals. Here are a few practical resources to get you started.