Toddler Mental Health Screening for the Nurse Family Partnership Program

Abstract

Background: Research has shown that attachment has a powerful impact on the developing brain of a child (Lieberman, 2004). Prevention focusing on the earliest signs of mental illness has the greatest potential for decreasing the risk of mental issues in later life (Ammitzbell et al., 2016). Purpose: The purpose of this project was to train nurses working at the Easter Seals Blake Foundation Nurse Family Partnership Program on the Child Behavior Checklist. The study focused on identification of children who are at risk of mental health problems, largely based on attachment problems, and provide early interventions. Design: The initial step of this study consisted of training home visiting Nurses working at a Nurse Family Partnership Program site in Pima County on the Child Behavior Checklist. The Child Behavior Checklist was meant to be implemented into the program as a secondary mental health screening tool if a child who was 18- or 24-months old was found to be “at-risk” using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Social and Emotional Tool. The Child Behavior Checklist, served as a more detailed screening tool if a child was found “at-risk.” Results: During this project, a training on the Child Behavior Checklist was performed. Seven nurses participated in the initial survey, which assessed their thoughts on the current protocols at the Nurse Family Partnership Program. Then their client charts were reviewed to determine if the Child Behavior Checklist was utilized. Lastly, a post survey was sent out to inquire about their thoughts and potential for implementing the Child Behavior Checklist. Implications: From the post survey, it was determined that most nurses thought the Child Behavior Checklist is a great, detailed tool to use if a child is found to be “at-risk.” However, most nurses also stated they did not need to use it due to lack of children having an “at-risk” score using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Social and Emotional tool.