by Elana Gotkine

Early childhood developmental care coordination with the Information and Referral Federation of Los Angeles County 2-1-1 call center (211LA) is effective for helping families access services earlier than usual care alone, with benefits sustained at 24 months, according to a studypublishedonline Oct. 8 inPediatrics.

Bergen B. Nelson, M.D., from the Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, and colleagues recruited children aged 11 to 42 months withoutdevelopmental delaysfrom four clinic systems who were screened for developmental risk. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention (care coordination with 211LA; 282 children) or control (usual care alone; 283 children). The odds of referrals and receipt of services were estimated, adjusting for covariates.

Overall, 260 and 261 children in the intervention and control groups, respectively, were observed up to 24 months. The researchers found that by 24 months, more children assigned to intervention were referred to (43% versus 35%) and enrolled in (28% versus 20%) services. Children with moderate-to-high developmental needs drove the higher enrollment in services (54% versus 37.5%); earlier service receipt forinterventionchildren was demonstrated in survival analyses.

"These results have important implications for potential widespread implementation to improve current systems and reduce inequities," the authors write.

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More information: Bergen B. Nelson et al, Sustained Effectiveness of a 211 Call Center With Early Childhood Care Coordination, Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2025-071644 Journal information: Pediatrics