Family Navigation to Reduce Disparities in Early Intervention: An RCT
Early Intervention (EI) services can improve developmental outcomes for young children with developmental delays or disabilities, but many families face barriers to accessing these services. Longstanding racial and socioeconomic disparities mean that children from historically marginalized communities are less likely to complete the evaluation process and receive the services they need.
In this Research at a Glance report, PolicyLab researchers summarize findings from a randomized controlled trial evaluating Opening Doors to Early Intervention, a family navigation program designed to help families successfully access EI services. The study found that families who received navigation support were more likely to complete the evaluation needed to determine their child's eligibility for services, regardless of income, health literacy or home learning environment.