Recent research from Head Start showed that for every $1 spent on early intervention, society as a whole saves $17.00.
Because almost all children receive health care, primary care providers (e.g., nurses, family medicine physicians, and pediatricians) are charged by their various professional societies, by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control, and by IDEA to search for difficulties and make needed referrals.
The screens used in primary care are generally broad-band in nature, meaning that they tap a range of developmental domains, typically expressive and receptive language, fine and gross motor skills, self-help, social-emotional, and for older children pre-academic and academic skills.
[citation needed] Screening measures require careful construction, research, and a high level of proof.
Screens must have proven validity, meaning that they are given alongside lengthier measures and found to have a strong relationship (usually via correlations).
This is helpful information for marshalling non-special education services, such as Head Start, after-school tutoring, Boys and Girls Clubs, parent training, etc.
Surveillance is the longitudinal process of getting "the big picture" of children's lives and intervening in potential problems preferably before they develop.
Surveillance involves the periodic use of broad-band developmental-behavioral screens but typically other kinds of measures are also deployed (preferably with quality tools enjoying psychometric support).