Newborn Encounters: A strengths-based approach to identifying newborns and new parents in need of early intervention services.
Hilado, A. & Leow, C. 2012, December
Funded by: Nims Family Foundation
This research report describes a component of the Baby TALK model – the Newborn Encounter – an effective approach to identifying at-risk newborns and their parents who are in need of early intervention services. The Newborn Encounter approach uses the Newborn Encounter Documentation (NED) tool, an innovative screening tool used by hospital obstetric units for identifying newborn and new parent needs. This report shares research examining the tool’s utility in practice, benefits for early childhood services, and implications for early intervention with newborns. Using findings from participants screened using the NED tool (n=500+) and subsequent engagement in recommended services, this piece also illustrates the strategies used within the Newborn Encounter Documentation tool that support a strengths-based approach to practice and uses targeted relationship-building techniques with new parents. A discussion on the ways in which the NED tool can be used in other early childhood and community settings across the country is included along with an examination of the policy implications for early intervention with newborns based on current research findings.
