VOWS Child Outreach Screenings

 Child Outreach Screening is a free service offered to all children ages 3-5.  Volunteers of Warwick Schools (VOWS), in cooperation with Warwick Public Schools, offer screenings at local preschools, clinics at the Warwick Public Library, and by appointment in our office at Park School.  Parents also participate by sharing information about their children’s social and emotional development.  Children will participate for about 30 minutes in game-like activities conducted by trained personnel from VOWS, and parents are welcome to observe as your child participates in the screening activities.

Participation in a screening is voluntary and requires the permission of a parent or guardian.  Child Outreach developmental screening is a statewide, long established program that provides families with details about their child’s development and offers information about community resources.  Child Outreach can help identify children who may need further assessment, intervention, and/or services at an early age to promote successful outcomes in kindergarten and beyond.  Screening is recommended annually for children ages 3-5.

• A developmental screening is a brief assessment in five areas of development: general development, social-emotional development, speech and language, vision and hearing. It is designed to determine whether a child may experience a challenge that will interfere with the acquisition of knowledge or skill. The results of the screening can help families understand how their child is progressing and how they can continue to support his/her development.  (RI Department of Education)

What if my child speaks and understands a language other than English?  

If your child communicates in a language other than English, Child Outreach makes every effort to screen your child and communicate with you in your dominant language.  Screening is not an assessment of your child’s English language ability, but rather a snapshot of your child’s development.  Screening in your child’s dominant language provides the most accurate picture of how your child is growing and learning.  Please notify the Child Outreach Project Director prior to the screening so that a bilingual screener or interpreter can be made available in your primary language.

How do I arrange a screening appointment for my child?

For more information or to arrange an appointment for your child, call the VOWS office at 

401-298-6973, or email Child Outreach Project Director Leslie Walaska Baxter at Leslie.Baxter@warwickschools.org.

State of Rhode Island Department of Education Early Childhood  Education

https://ride.ri.gov/instruction-assessment/early-childhood-education/child-outreach-screening