Barriers to Accessing Services for Young Children

Abstract

This study investigates barriers to accessing services for children under age 3 presenting with language delays and behavioral difficulties, including language barriers for Spanish-speaking families. Using a telephone script, researchers called 30 agencies in Los Angeles County, including regional centers (the state network of Part C agencies for children with developmental disabilities), mental health centers, and schools, requesting services for a 2-year-old child. Outcomes of calls were compared by agency and by language of call (Spanish or English). Regional center calls resulted in an appointment 90% of the time, whereas schools and mental health centers were significantly less likely to link callers with services. Calls in Spanish revealed language access barriers, with fewer than half of Spanish-speaking callers to schools and mental health agencies obtaining an appointment. The study indicated barriers including basic access (e.g., reaching a live person; response in the home language), and obtaining appropriate appointment or referral.

Are We Maximizing the Role of Caregivers’ Support Networks in Early Intervention?

“…Regarding this latter concern, readers may recall that 48.72% of respondents’ children were only in their first 6 months of EI service delivery. Despite the federal Child Find mandate for earlier screening and referral of more eligible children earlier in development, this aligns with pervasive national concern with delayed access to needed EI services, with younger eligible children in the birth to 3 age range more commonly receiving fewer EI services than older children (e.g., BLIND REVIEW; Elbaum, Celimli-Aksoy, Marshall, & Berkovits, 2017; McIntyre & Zemantic, 2017; Williams, Perrigo, Banda, Matic, & Goldfarb, 2013).…”

Early Intervention Referral Outcomes for Children at Increased Risk of Experiencing Developmental Delays

“…Ultimately, EI programs have been shown to be beneficial to children at increased risk of experiencing developmental delays and their families. However, research has revealed significant challenges in connecting children successfully with the program (Williams, Perrigo, Banda, Matic, & Goldfarb, 2013).…”

“…Specifically, more research is needed to highlight the voices of those families who are not successfully connected with EI. More research is also needed investigating the EI referral experiences of more culturally and linguistically diverse families, as previous research has indicated that parents/caregivers who speak a language other than English have more difficulty connecting with EI (Williams et al, 2013). Well-conducted research exploring the experiences of families will ensure that the time, thought, and effort that goes into implementing widespread systems yields maximum benefit and reaches the most vulnerable children and families.…”

Missed, Misused, or Mismanaged

“…Children from the following backgrounds are more likely to have difficulty accessing services: (a) culturally and linguistically diverse (Feinberg et al, 2011; García & Ortiz, 2006; Harry, 2008; Williams et al, 2013;K. E. Zuckerman et al, 2013), (b) low socioeconomic status (SES; McManus et al, 2009; Williams et al, 2013), (c) rural settings (Grant & Isakson, 2013), and (d) uninsured (Shapiro & Derrington, 2004).…”