Measuring the Developmental Health of Children in NWT

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area, Sahtu Settlement Area, Dehcho Region, North Slave Region, South Slave Region, Qikiqtaaluk Region

Tags: health, policy development, program evaluation, children's health

Principal Investigator: Janus, Magdalena (2)
Licence Number: 16414
Organization: Offord Centre for Child Studies - McMaster University
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018
Issued: Nov 05, 2018
Project Team: Ashley Gaskin, Patricia Raso, Amanda Offord, Eric Duku

Objective(s): To annually collect information to guide decision-making, monitor trends and measure the impacts of changes to programs and services provided for children in the early years using an Early Development Instrument (EDI).

Project Description: Annually collected Early Development Instrument (EDI) data provides information to guide decision-making, monitor trends and measure the impacts of changes to programs and services provided for children in the early years. The five domains of early childhood development measured by the EDI are predictive of school outcomes, including academic achievement, and so the data is also used by schools and government in planning for programming and supports for children. Kindergarten teachers complete the EDI surveys on-line in February-March of the Kindergarten school year. Results from the Early Development Instrument (EDI) research project are shared with government and local communities. The results describe the status of children's developmental health at the community level. By using the EDI to track children’s early development we provide schools, educators, communities, and policy makers with the information they need to make informed decisions about how to move forward with providing help for children. EDI data can help schools set up new programs to help improve areas of children’s development. The EDI can also be used to evaluate certain programs by determining how children are doing after they participate. EDI is used by government and local communities to plan early childhood investment, inform policy and program development decisions, or evaluate programs. Offord Centre will produce reports summarizing the EDI results at the Territory, community, school board and school level. These reports are distributed to the government and school administration. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from November 6, 2018 to December 31, 2018.