Children’s first smiles, first steps, first words are all milestones that parents delight in. To make sure kids are progressing properly, Cranston Public Schools offers free screening through the Child Outreach program.

Child Outreach is a universal developmental screening system designed to screen all children. Screening serves as a first step in the identification of children who might have special needs or be at risk for a learning problem and whom could benefit from intervention.

“There are approximately three thousand children living in Cranston who are aged three to five years old,” said Gail Falso, Head Screener for Child Outreach.

A system for identifying children with disabilities is a required component under IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and the Rhode Island Special Education Regulations.

“Equally as important, Child Outreach serves as a resource to families. Information about general child development, and specifically, the development of their child, is provided. Child Outreach provides families with information regarding referrals to agencies and programs within their community as well as opportunities for family involvement in their child’s development and education,” said Charlene Barbieri, Director of Early Childhood Education for Cranston.

A Child Outreach screening is composed of four elements: vision, hearing, speech and general development and social/emotional wellbeing.

“Screening a child each year before Kindergarten is so important as it assures a parent that their child is at an age appropriate level, and for some children that may need further help it is detected at an early stage and we can ensure the child gets the proper guidance they may require,” Barbieri said.

Falso and her team of screeners travel to every preschool in Cranston and schedule screenings at the ECC building on Sprague Avenue.

Along with regular screenings, the team also assists the Nursing department with the vision screenings at all elementary schools.

“Usually, we do the vision screenings in November. We are the only Child Outreach district that offers this service. The District purchased the Welch Allyn Sure Spot Screener which is a handheld, portable device designed to help users quickly and easily detect vision issues on patients from six months of age,” Falso said.

Spot screens both eyes at once from a three-foot distance. The touch-screen display allows for one-touch activation, simple management of patient data entry, and easy configuration for both vision screening and auto-refraction applications.

 “If a child is referred after a Child Outreach screening, our team of professionals will meet with the parents and discuss the proper plan for their child,” Barbieri said.

To schedule a Child Outreach screening at the Early Childhood Center, or for more information, call Gail Falso at 270-8337.