CAPTA and IDEA 2004
What Do Changes Mean for Providers?
Marion Kresse, Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Children, Family, and
Community Services; Early Access Liaison to the Department of Human Services
Summer 2005
In
Iowa, an estimated 3,000 children younger than three will suffer abuse or
neglect this year. Recent federal legislation sends a loud and clear
message: Throughout the nation, and here in Iowa, we need to do a better job
of caring for our most vulnerable citizens, our children.
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Changes to two key pieces of federal legislation reflect this priority and,
as an Iowa health care provider, you have a key role to play in implementing
these changes. Targeted at better meeting the needs of children who have, or
are at risk for, developmental delay, the revisions affect:
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CAPTA
Effective July 1, 2004, a new CAPTA provision requires the Iowa Department
of Human Services to make referrals to Early ACCESS for all substantiated
cases of maltreatment of children younger than three years of age.
Early ACCESS provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers
who have developmental delays or conditions that affect their development.
Partners in Early ACCESS include professionals from education, public and
private health care, child care and child welfare agencies.
IDEA, Part C
The
newly revised IDEA, Part C strengthens efforts to identify developmental
delays in children who are victims of abuse, and requires Early ACCESS to
develop referral and screening procedures for child victims of prenatal drug
exposure, post-natal drug withdrawal, and maltreatment.
Does a
child in
your care need further evaluation or early intervention?
Call: Iowa
COMPASS
1-800-779-2001
for a referral to the Early
ACCESS office nearest the child. |
Research on brain function makes it clear that the first three years of life
lay the foundation for a child’s future development. Neglecting a young
child’s physical, emotional, or
psychological development can result in delays in social and
education difficulties, and may affect behavior and success in later
life.
If you believe a
child needs further evaluation and may benefit from early
intervention services, call 1-800-779-2001 (Iowa COMPASS). They will
connect you directly to the Early ACCESS office near where the child
lives, and a service coordinator will work closely with you and with
the child’s family or guardian.
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