# Before You Begin

The planning phase lays the critical groundwork for a successful screening and monitoring program. Navigating these important first steps with a great collaborative team can help you sidestep common challenges when your system is up and running.

On this page, you’ll find resources to guide you through the planning phase, from determining your goals to choosing the screener that’s right for you.

[Before You Begin](/content/screening-navigator/before-you-begin/index.html)

[Preparing Your Program](/content/screening-navigator/preparing-your-program/index.html)

[Screening](/content/screening-navigator/screening/index.html)

[Supporting Success](/content/screening-navigator/supporting-success/index.html)

Start your screening program by answering key questions. What’s your target population? What are the major goals and objectives of your screening program? What resources do you have, and what will you need? How will you get parents, providers, and community partners on board? Here are some resources to help you ask the right questions and determine your answers.

## Discover Screening Resources

### [Screening Success Decisions Guide](/content/resource/screening-success-decisions-guide/index.html)

### [Planning your screening program](/content/resource/planning-screening-program/index.html)

### [Connecting Data Across Systems](/content/resource/connecting-data-across-systems/index.html)

### [Screening Tool Completion Methods](/content/resource/screening-tool-completion-methods/index.html)

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## How They Did It

### [Alaska and ASQ Online: A case study](/content/free-resources/success-stories/alaska-and-asq-online-a-case-study/index.html)

See the beginning of this story to learn how Alaska started their mission to strengthen their screening efforts, from choosing ASQ to devising an implementation plan. See the “Growing and Strengthening” section of this case story to learn how they trained staff.

[Read More](/content/free-resources/success-stories/alaska-and-asq-online-a-case-study/index.html)

### [Growing Strong with ASQ Online: HMG Michigan’s Statewide Screening Successes](/content/free-resources/success-stories/hmg-michigans-statewide-screening-successes/index.html)

In the “Why HMG chose ASQ Online” section of this case story, you’ll learn how southeast Michigan set up their universal and integrated screening system.

[Read More](/content/free-resources/success-stories/hmg-michigans-statewide-screening-successes/index.html)

Choosing a screener consistent with your goals and resources can feel like an overwhelming task. There are many factors to consider, including cost, compatibility with your existing services, logistics of administration and scoring, and extent of parental involvement. Here, you’ll find helpful resources on selecting the screening tool that’s right for your program.

## Discover Screening Resources

### [Birth to 5: Compendium of screening measures for young children](/content/resource/birth-to-5-compendium-screening-measures-young-children/index.html)

### [Why Parent Report?](/content/resource/parent-report/index.html)

### [Considerations When Selecting a Screening Tool](/content/resource/considerations-selecting-screening-tool/index.html)

### [AAP Screening Tool Finder](/content/resource/aap-screening-tool-finder/index.html)

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## How They Did It

### [LACOE Head Start](/content/free-resources/success-stories/lacoe-head-start/index.html)

Many factors go into choosing the right screening tool. Here, the LACOE Head Start preschool program shares eight reasons why they chose ASQ.

[Read More](/content/free-resources/success-stories/lacoe-head-start/index.html)

After you choose your screener, you’ll want to set some guidelines. Determine your administration methods, figure out how often you’ll screen, and select your criteria for referrals. Here are a few practical resources to get you started.

## Discover Screening Resources

### [ASQ Referral Tips](/content/resource/asq-referral-tips/index.html)

### [Setting Guidelines for Referrals: A Q&A with ASQ Developer Jane Squires](/content/resource/setting-guidelines-for-referrals/index.html)