Child Outreach Program

Child Outreach 734-3245

Coordinator: Alice Freeman

VOWS 734-3230

Child Outreach Project Director:

Nancy Anderson

Warwick Public Schools 734-3050

Special Services Department

What Is CHILD OUTREACH?

CHILD OUTREACH is a long established Warwick School Department program that provides families with information about their child’s development and offers information about community resources.  It is a free service that’s offered through a cooperative effort between the Volunteers of Warwick Schools (VOWS) and the Warwick School System. 

Who May Receive the Services of CHILD OUTREACH?

All Warwick preschool children between the ages of 3 and 5 are offered the Preschool Screening (PSS).  Screenings may be conducted at a CHILD OUTREACH Clinic or at the child’s “home” school before entering kindergarten.  This service is voluntary and requires a parent’s or guardian’s permission.

What Is a CHILD OUTREACH Clinic?

A “clinic” is a special time set aside one or two mornings each month when the development of preschool and kindergarten aged children may be assessed, at the request of a parent or guardian.

Who Conducts the Screening?

Volunteers who have been extensively trained and certified by the CHILD OUTREACH professional staff and VOWS gather the information through a series of activities with the child.

What Do the Children Do During Their Visit?

Your child will participate in four different kinds of activities, with two different screeners:

¨       Development - Your child will be doing special activities such as clapping, hopping, counting, drawing, following directions, identifying pictures, copying shapes, etc.  This shows the child’s learning skills in a variety of areas: movement, language, thinking, socialization and behavior. 

¨       Articulation - In this section, the screener asks your child to say several words, to check for sounds that are developmentally appropriate for your child’s age.

¨       Vision - The screener tests your child’s eyes by using an eye chart like the one you may have seen in your doctor’s office.  Your child does not need to know the alphabet because this screening is designed for preschool aged children.  Each eye is checked individually and both eyes are checked together.

¨       Hearing - Your child will be instructed to put on earphones that are attached to an audiometer (a machine which measures hearing).  Next, she/he will be asked to respond to different tones at different levels. 

How Are CHILD OUTREACH Clinic Appointments Scheduled?

During the school year, CHILD OUTREACH Clinic appointments are scheduled by Nancy Anderson, VOWS’ CHILD OUTREACH Project Director.  Parents or guardians may call Nancy at 734-3230.  Appointments are scheduled in the order that calls are received.

Where are CHILD OUTREACH Clinics Held?

CHILD OUTREACH Clinics are held at Holden Elementary School, 61 Hoxsie Avenue, Warwick, R.I. 02889

How Often Are CHILD OUTREACH Clinics Held?

Clinics are held once or twice a month on Wednesday mornings during the school year only. Clinics are not held during summer vacation.  However, a concerned parent or guardian may call the CHILD OUTREACH office at 734-3245 during the summer months and have their child’s name put on a list to be screened in the fall.  Children are scheduled for screenings at a Clinic in the order that their parents or guardians have called.  (This process is adhered to for fairness.)

What Role Does A Parent or Guardian Play?

You will be asked to give your child’s Social Security number and other necessary information, either before hand, or on the day of the Clinic.  The total appointment time will take approximately 30-45 minutes. This includes the screening, vision, hearing and articulation components.  You are expected to wait on the premises during the entire process.

How Does a Parent or Guardian Learn How Their Child Did on the Test?

When all of the components of the screening are completed, you and the child are free to leave.  A Warwick Child Outreach professional will interpret the results and you will hear from one of them within two to three weeks.

What Happens to the Information Gathered In This Screening?

The results of the Preschool Screening (PSS) are always kept CONFIDENTIAL.  VOWS’ volunteers are trained to handle privileged information in the most appropriate manner, as is ALL Warwick School Department CHILD OUTREACH professional staff.  It could be possible that a child may be referred for additional testing in the future.