The Fraser Region's early childhood screening program for children in care: evaluation report and recommendations for improved outcomes

This study provides an evaluation of year one of the Fraser Region’s Early Childhood Screening program for children in care and provides recommendations to increase program effectiveness. The Fraser Region Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and the Fraser Health (FH) authority formed the screening program in 2007. This program is designed to support short and long-term best outcwomes for the Fraser Region’s children in care population through comprehensive health assessments and early intervention services. The program focuses on screening children when they reach 18 and 36 months of age in five key health areas: vision, dental, audiology (hearing), developmental progress and immunizations. This study contains data on 236 total children in care who were eligible for the screening program from January 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008. Of the 236 eligible children, 116 participated in the screening process. Recommendations for optimization of the assessment process and referral programs are provided.