The Alabama ABCD Screening Academy Project worked to spread structured developmental and social emotional screening in primary health care practices. The ABCD Screening Academy Project work plan will be incorporated into Alabama’s Blueprint for School Readiness (Zero to Five) plan.
Specifically, the ABCD Screening Academy activities in Alabama included:
- Expanding Medicaid and All Kids reimbursement for standardized screening and modifying policy and billing manuals to inform providers of the changes. In addition, S-CHIP is now paying for up to 4 standardized screenings tied into a well-child visit during the first 4 years – which so far has led to a 600 percent increase in claims for the 96110 procedure code.
- Sustaining and spreading the use of validated, objective screening tools as part of well child care through partnerships with The Alabama Partnership for Children (APC), the Alabama AAP chapter and The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) as well as pursuing grant funding to bolster coordination of early childhood services and streamline resources to improve outcomes for young children and their families.
