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NEW FREE ONLINE RESOURCE HELPS PARENTS SCREEN DEVELOPMENT OF BABIES AND PRE-SCHOOLERS

Oakland Schools Offers Unique Tool to Oakland County Families

WATERFORD, MI – SEPTEMBER 8, 2006 - Through a partnership between Oakland Schools and the University of Oregon, Oakland County parents, caregivers and other interested adults can now go online and complete a free Ages and Stages developmental screening of their children between three and 60 months of age and receive useful feedback, support and resources. In addition to responding to survey items, participants need only provide the age, sex and ethnicity of the child—no names or other identifying information is required.

Upon receipt of the survey results from the University of Oregon, an Oakland Schools Early Childhood expert will reply to the email address used and inform parents about their child’s developmental status. If the child is on target developmentally, parents will be told just that and will receive parenting information, related website resources and appropriate activities for their child’s stage of development.

If the child’s score indicates developmental delay, the parent will be asked to contact an Oakland Schools Early Childhood specialist who will follow up to offer referrals, additional evaluation, and important Early On or school-based services to support the child’s further development.

Oakland Schools is excited to offer this valuable new service that increases parents’ access to important developmental information, services and resources. For a free developmental screening, go to http://asq.uoregon.edu/. To learn more, contact Dr. Dawn Koger, Early Childhood Consultant, at 248.209.2266 or email dawn.koger@oakland.k12.mi.us.