Infant Toddler & Child Find
The goal of the Idaho Infant Toddler Program is to make sure all Idaho infants and toddlers reach their maximum potential. All services through the Infant Toddler Program are FREE!
We feel that early intervention is critical during the first three years of life because:
- The foundation for communication, motor, social, and self-care skills are developing
- Thinking, talking, learning, and moving skills develop rapidly
- Providing services now may reduce or eliminate the need for other costly services later
Child Find is an important component of the Idaho Infant Toddler Program and is designed to help us locate children who may be in need of developmental services.
Child Find services:
- Are free through local health districts by trained health care professionals
- Can provide developmental monitoring, screening, and referral
- Can help families find appropriate services or help
Through the Child Find Program, we can offer developmental monitoring for children who are newborns up to the age of three.
- Developmental monitoring is a source of information about your child's development and health.
- Questionnaires are sent to parents every four months. They are reviewed by a qualified health care professional and results are shared with the family.
- Monitoring can indicate if there is a need for referral information for developmental screening or more in-depth evaluation of your child.
Through the Child Find Program we can also offer developmental screening for children who are newborns up to the age of three.
- Developmental screening is a check of your child's development in language, thinking, physical coordination, and social skills. Your child's health status also can be reviewed.
- Screening can indicate if your child may need further evaluations for specialized early intervention services such speech or feeding therapy, physical and occupational therapy, respite care, nursing and transportation, services coordination, and assistance in applying for payment sources.
Screening clinics are held throughout the health district, usually in conjunction with local school district's special needs preschool screenings. These are usually scheduled once or twice a year and are advertised through local newspapers and radio stations. In Pocatello, the screening clinics are for children who are newborns up to the age of five and are scheduled by appointment only with School District #25.
Check the Calendar of Events page for scheduled screening clinic dates and contact information.
An overview of what to expect children to do between birth and age 5. If you believe your child seems different, call for a developmental evaluation. Note: Premature infants tend to develop more slowly. Check with your doctor or Child Find Coordinator if you have questions.
A Checklist for Growing Children
