More about United Way and Child Assessment
United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the Merrimack Valley has promoted the importance of using research-based child assessment tools for several years. In 2006 – 2007 United Way funded an 18-month pilot to train staff from 8 affiliate agencies to implement tools in their center-based and family child care programs. Successes and challenges of the pilot were documented in an article published in Child Care Exchange magazine.
Findings from the United Way demonstration pilot, revealed that:
- Assessment tools helped teachers improve communication with parents about their children’s development.
- Programs that use assessment tools identified children’s special needs earlier helping to ensure that more children are referred to the services they need
- During a United Way pilot, the number of referrals increased from less than 1% of children being referred to 6% of children being referred after teachers were trained to use assessment tools.
Today, nearly 90% of United Way funded affiliate agencies are currently using child assessment research-based tools. United Way will continue to place primary importance on early screening and assessment because we recognize that it an integral component to achieving positive child outcomes.
