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Change Package for Community Health Centers Part 3: Early Childhood Development Care Coordination and Linkage

ECDHS: Evidence to Impact Center
Tool/Toolkit
March 25, 2026
These change ideas focus on early childhood development care coordination and linkage, as part of the Change Package for Community Health Centers: Integrating the Early Childhood Development Continuum of Care.
Babies and adults playing with blocks. Resource title is Change Package for Community Health Centers: Early Childhood Care Coordination and Linkage
Care Coordination and Linkage
Early Relational Health
Family Engagement and Leadership
Partnerships and Collaboration
Pediatric Care
Workforce Development
Community Health Centers
Implementation Strategies
Transforming Pediatrics for Early Childhood
Early Childhood and Family Support Professionals
Health Care Practitioners

Part 3 focuses on early childhood development care coordination and linkage, providing nine actionable change ideas for health centers and pediatric practices. Click on the links below to get started.

Access all parts of the Change Package for Community Health Centers: Integrating the Early Childhood Development Continuum of Care here.

Care Coordination and Linkage Change Ideas

Each change idea link below includes a PDF with step-by-step guidance for pediatric practices. The related sample tools (e.g., checklists, scripts) can be edited and customized.

  1. Identify community partners for care coordination and linkage through community asset mapping.
  1. Partner with community service providers to improve care coordination for families with complex medical, behavioral, and social needs.
  1. Facilitate face-to-face meetings with community partners to build relationships.
Sample Tools

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  1. Engage families in care transitions by creating a family care transition plan for services outside of the health center.
  1. Use warm handoffs between providers.
  1. Implement a care coordination protocol with a feedback loop.
  1. Implement a care coordination checklist with early intervention programs.
  1. Use a referral tracking process.
  1. Automate referral follow-up alerts in the electronic health record.

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