211 Call Center Improves Coordination of Early Childhood Services for Children With Developmental Disabilities, Study Finds

Researchers found that young children with developmental disabilities received services earlier when referred to a telephone-based childhood care coordination system, according to a study published in the November 2025 Pediatrics. The randomized study, “Sustained Effectiveness of a 211 Call Center with Early Childhood Care Coordination,” (published online Oct. 8) followed children ages 11-42 months in Los Angeles County from January 2020 and October 2021. Among 565 children, 282 were referred to the 211 care coordination program and the rest received usual care in a control group. More children assigned to intervention were referred to (43% vs. 35%) and enrolled in (28% vs. 20%) services by 24 months. Also, the authors showed that children in the intervention group enrolled in services earlier. Early identification of developmental disabilities and timely services can improve outcomes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends universal developmental screening and surveillance as part of routine well-child care. The authors suggest that care coordination is crucial to help families connect with services, and using existing infrastructure such as a 211 call center has the potential for replication in other states and counties. 

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.