Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about milestone checklists

1. When do we offer the checklists to families? Checklists should be given at certification and mid-certification appointments, except when an infant is younger than 2 months. There is no checklist for newborn to age 2 months.
   1. Note: Upon offering a checklist, or during other interactions, the family might inform you that the child has already been diagnosed with a developmental delay or is receiving specialized services for developmental concerns (e.g., speech/language therapy, early childhood special education, or other early intervention like speech therapy). If that is the case, there is no need for the family to complete a checklist or for a referral to be made. Often, this can be indicated in a child's record so the checklists are not brought up with the parent in the future.
2. What checklist do I use if the child was born prematurely? If a child was born prematurely (<37 weeks gestation), offer the checklist that fits his or her corrected age, up until age 2 years. Find instructions for calculating corrected age here.
3. What do we do with the checklists when there is no need for a referral? Give the checklist to the family when the child is reaching his/her developmental milestones. Encourage the parent to share the checklist with others (e.g., the child's healthcare provider, child care provider or teacher, family members) and encourage the family to continue tracking their child's development in between WIC visits.
4. What do I do if the family is upset that their child is missing milestones? Reassure the family as you would when there is any concern (low iron, for example). You can say, "Children develop at their own pace; each child is different. But it's important to follow up with your healthcare provider to make sure. Just get it checked out."
5. What do I do if the family considers a referral to be criticism of their parenting skills? You can say, "We know you are a good parent; that's why you'll want to check this out. We know you want to do all you can to help your child."
6. Does this program overlap with what healthcare providers may be doing in terms of developmental milestones? In some cases, it may. Young children grow and change quickly, so it's a great idea to do these kinds of checklists frequently. Most healthcare providers will agree that it's the best way to make sure a child's development is on track.
7. What can I expect if we have the family "schedule a follow-up visit" with the child's healthcare provider? The WIC family can take the checklist with them to this appointment and share any concerns they have about their child's development. The healthcare provider will discuss the child's development and determine if further follow-up or screening is necessary.
8. What if the child has already been diagnosed by a doctor or other healthcare provider with a developmental delay or disability? The family does not need to complete a checklist. You can also indicate this in the child's record so you can skip the checklists with this family in the future.
9. Can the Milestone Checklist Program for WIC be billed to Medicaid? No, it is not a developmental diagnostic or screening assessment.

Common questions about program materials

1. How do we get more checklists? Check your state website or contact your state/agency technical assistance person.
2. Our WIC clinic is not allowed to access YouTube. How can we view the training video? Contact your state technical assistance person.
3. How can I tell the difference between the floor blocks and the wall blocks? The wall and floor blocks differ in size and weight. There are two sizes of floor blocks: 12 X 12 and 12 X 24 inches; the wall blocks, on the other hand, are all 14 x 14 inches. Also, the floor blocks are heavier than the wall blocks.
4. The floor blocks are not sticking. What should I do? The floor blocks adhere well to most vinyl and tile flooring, but do not stick well to carpet. Contact your state or agency point of contact or the vendor that supplied the decals for additional support.
5. Can we mop over the floor blocks? If ordered per the recommended specifications, the floor blocks can be mopped over without damage; however, you will want to confirm this with the printer/fabricator.

View and print a handout of this information.