New CDC Child Development Milestones: What They Mean for Behavioral Health

How the CDC’s Updated Child Development Milestones Impact Integrated Care and Behavioral Health

In 2022 and 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made significant updates to its child developmental milestones, aiming to improve the early identification of developmental delays. These changes reflect a shift toward more precise, actionable benchmarks, with potential ripple effects on integrated care and behavioral health practices.

What Changed in the Developmental Milestones?

The CDC’s updates were designed to reduce ambiguity and provide clearer guidance for parents and professionals. Key changes include:

New Milestones: Added milestones for 15-month and 30-month-old toddlers, emphasizing social-emotional skills, such as smiling to gain attention at 4 months.
Removed Milestones: Crawling was removed, acknowledging that some babies skip this stage entirely and progress directly to standing and walking.
Adjusted Ages: The age for walking alone moved from 12 months to 15 months, and rolling from 4 months to 6 months.
Lower Language Standards: The milestone for a 50-word vocabulary shifted from 2 years to 30 months.
Higher Benchmark Standards: Milestone benchmarks now indicate that 75% (up from 50%) of children are expected to meet a milestone by a given age.

These revisions aim to encourage earlier interventions for developmental delays and reduce confusion for parents and healthcare providers.

Integrated Care: Implications for Early Intervention

The updates hold significant implications for integrated care, where behavioral health and primary care work together to address the holistic needs of children and their families. Early identification of developmental delays enables healthcare teams to create targeted interventions that address cognitive, emotional, and physical development.

“Early intervention is crucial for several reasons, particularly concerning child development, education, and health. The earlier any problems or difficulties are identified and addressed, the better a child’s chances of success. By intervening early, we can prevent minor issues from escalating into more complex and serious challenges. For instance, early intervention can help prevent behavioral problems or speech difficulties from worsening, which could hinder a child’s ability to learn and build relationships. Moreover, by providing families with the necessary tools and resources to support their children, early intervention benefits both the child and the family. This support can enhance overall well-being and reduce stress within the household.” said Emily Rodriguez Verdecia, M.S. CCC-SLP

Behavioral Health: Supporting Families Through Change

The updates may also affect behavioral health professionals, who often support families navigating developmental challenges.

“Many of these changes may ease the burden for parents when they realize that their children have more time to hit developmental milestones. As a parent myself, my youngest daughter did not walk until she was 15 months old because she had an older sister to retrieve all of her toys for her. Our pediatrician considered a physical therapy referral for her at 12 months, which heightened my anxiety. Had I known that walking at 15 months was more developmentally appropriate, I would have worried less about my baby achieving milestones.” says Dr. Rachel Grimes, DBH, LCSW-S, CGI DBH Program Alumna.

“Helping parents understand that every child is different, and some children will hit milestones later than others can bring peace of mind to parents, and even reduce the caseloads of behavioral health providers. Providers can target interventions to families that are actually experiencing developmental delays. We want to continue identifying children with developmental delays and conducting early interventions, but now we have more time to do so.” – Dr. Rachel Grimes, DBH, LCSW-S, CGI DBH Program Alumna

Advancing Healthcare Education

Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI) is uniquely positioned to address these changes through its Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) program. CGI students and alumni are trained to navigate shifts in healthcare guidelines, ensuring that they can provide integrated, evidence-based care to children and families.

Looking Ahead: A New Era for Developmental Milestones

As the CDC’s updated milestones continue to shape healthcare practices, professionals in integrated care and behavioral health must adapt to these changes. By providing clearer benchmarks and promoting earlier intervention, the CDC aims to improve outcomes for children and families alike.

Whether through collaboration with pediatricians, guidance for parents, or targeted interventions, integrated care and behavioral health professionals play a critical role in helping families navigate the complexities of child development.

Article Contributors

Dr. Rachel Grimes, DBH, LCSW-S

Dr. Rachel Grimes is a licensed clinical social worker and supervisor, certified and an approved consultant in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trauma therapy. She was drawn to the DBH program because she was already working as a clinical therapist in a medical setting. Dr. Grimes is part of the Cystic Fibrosis Care Center in Fort Worth, TX and provides integrated healthcare to pediatric and adult patients with CF and other pulmonary diseases. The skills and knowledge learned through the DBH program helped her improve and elevate care for her patients. Dr. Grimes also serves as the Clinical Director of a new mental health clinic in Fort Worth. Nora Mental Health is a national company that has been providing client centered care for almost a decade. Nora’s mission is to treat clients and staff members alike, with the utmost respect and care. The leadership and evidence-based skills that Dr. Grimes learned in the DBH program made her a perfect fit to lead the mission for the community of Fort Worth.

Emily Rodriguez, M.S., CCC-SLP

Emily is a licensed pediatric speech-language pathologist (SLP) specializing in working with young children aged 2 to 5. She frequently collaborates with parents who have just received a diagnosis for their child, often serving as the first therapist on their child’s care team. Emily assesses communication skills in school and daycare settings, providing individualized recommendations and referrals to specialists such as occupational therapists, neurologists, or audiologists to ensure comprehensive support. As a licensed SLP in Florida, she addresses communication and social-pragmatic concerns, but with her Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) degree, she aims to become a licensed mental health counselor, equipping her to better guide parents through the diagnostic process and next steps. With years of experience serving families in the Miami area, Emily is now expanding her services to the Florida Keys, where access to therapy remains limited, particularly in the lower Keys. As a native of the area, she is passionate about providing a safe and supportive environment where children and families can access speech therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health counseling.

Testimonials

“As a member of the AAPI community, I’m very familiar with the barriers to mental health services and the need to break through the glass wall of cultural stigma that prevents many from receiving potentially life–saving treatment. I was the only Asian American person in my master’s cohort, the only Asian American person in many of my clinical work settings, the only Asian American person to walk into many of the professional settings that I pushed myself to show up to. In my current practice, I’m constantly reminded by my patients of how difficult it is to find an Asian American mental health provider, though this reminder constantly informs me that more needs to be done for my community. Day after day, I read stories of Asian American people who die by suicide as a consequence of our culture’s avoidance of mental health topics. As a DBH, my biggest goal is to use my expertise in whole–person care to amplify the conversation around mental health and help my community understand that mental healthcare is not a privilege that we are not entitled to, it is a crucial part of our healthcare that will manifest differently in us than what many Western psychology or psychiatry textbooks will describe, and that our unique experience of mental health issues are valid, important, and is time to be part of the larger conversation.”
Willam Chum, LMHCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 16, 2022

“The DBH represents something that I've always embraced in my professional career. And that's collaboration and working across a lot of different disciplines to make sure you’re delivering the best care for the patient. Everything is about being patient centered about finding innovative ways and creative ways to collaborate with other professionals.”
CDR Sean K. Bennett, LCSW, MSWAC, BCDDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - October 10, 2023

“This program will change how you present to the world, not just as a professional but as an individual. Understand this is work but the work is worth it and the journey is undeniably transformative. If you are seeking a doctorate for the title, this is not the program for you. If you are seeking a doctorate to interrupt and disrupt the course of healthcare, then this is the program for you. You won’t find a more supportive program with professors who are dedicated to your success and your education. This program is not about the regurgitation of information. It is about the appropriate applied application of knowledge and information to push forward and become an advocate for equitable and quality care for all.”
Brandy K. Biglow LMHC, CCTP, QSDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 5, 2024

“The Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) program has definitely transformed my understanding of behavioral health. Understanding the links between physical and mental health has taught how to make better treatment decisions. The DBH program has also given me insights that otherwise would not be possible and allows me to view individuals through a lens that I was previously ignorant of. This program has helped me grow into a more confident individual, provider, and parent.”
Cory H. Cannady, BCBA, LBADBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 13, 2024

“The DBH program has been a pivotal turning point in my understanding and application of behavioral health principles. Recently, the concept of ‘whole person health’ has gained widespread attention in healthcare circles, becoming somewhat of a buzzword. Like many others, I embraced this term, believing in my capacity to deliver comprehensive care.

Prior to my engagement with the program, my approach, albeit well-intentioned, lacked an appreciation for the intricate interplay between physical and mental health. More importantly, the role of unmet social needs as a catalyst for health disparities was a dimension I had not fully integrated into my practice. The DBH program illuminated these connections, offering me a robust framework to understand and address the multifaceted needs of individuals, especially within marginalized communities.

Additionally, the confidence I have gained through the DBH program extends beyond theoretical knowledge. My role as a connector and advocate for these individuals has become more pronounced, driven by a deep-seated commitment to fostering accessibility, equity, and comprehensiveness in care.”
Michelle Stroebel MA, NCC, LCMHC, NADD-CCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - June 12, 2024

“I have worked in behavioral health for the entirety of my professional career starting with college internships up to my current role as Deputy Executive Commissioner of Behavioral Health for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. While I have years of experience in the field, the DBH program at Cummings has framed my perspective as leveraging therapy as a first line of intervention. As a public servant, much of the work I do is usually in the aftermath of crises or when the system is being forced to respond to a service gap. However, the DBH program takes a much more proactive and integrative approach to health. This perspective/approach has the potential to positively shape policy in Texas in my role as a public servant charged with addressing the safety net needs of the most vulnerable constituents in Texas.”
Trina K. Ita, MA, LPCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - July 10, 2024

“CGI feels like a community of long-lost cousins that finally met as adults and we realized that we share the same goals. The support from the faculty and classmates have been nothing short of amazing. I can reach out to my advisor at any given time to discuss course work, career endeavors, or to just vent about life. There is a feeling of closeness and belongingness at CGI that is just unmatched. I am very happy to be a member of the family and will continue to spread the word of how great this DBH program is.”
Michelle Francis, LCSW/LICSW-QSDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 10, 2024

“The DBH program’s mission, purpose, and objective say it all: We strive for intentional care outcome improvement practices that exemplify whole person-centered integrated healthcare advanced competency. The program of study drives insights and awareness of the ever-changing patient population and multidisciplinary practice environments to change how the world experiences healthcare. This is further reinforced by the pillars of medical literacy, integrated behavioral health intervention, and entrepreneurship skills and expertise. Development growth is needed to prepare the aspiring DBH for the future of the shifting healthcare marketplace through international networking in a growing community of disruptive innovators and an evolving movement toward systemic healthcare change. I feel that I will be positioned alongside a fellowship of like-minded professionals trying to improve the quality of healthcare service delivery value and outcome sustainability.”
Jose Mathew, LCSW, LAC, ACS, EMDR-T, CCTP-IIDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - October 8, 2024

“The DBH program has reinforced my vision of viewing behavioral health (BH) as an integrated component of the healthcare system rather than a siloed service. As a practitioner in the focused BH realm of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, I observe on a regular basis how identifying and serving SUD patients is often missed, ignored and stigmatized in primary healthcare, despite the fact that early intervention at these check-points often has the potential to intervene earlier and lessen the negative SUD outcomes frequently seen by the time a patient reaches specialty SUD services. Reinforcement received in my DBH program has motivated me to promote integration as a leader in my workplace and is a primary factor in considering the long-term trajectory of my individual career path.”
Kenneth L. Roberts, MPS, LPCC, LADCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - November 5, 2024

“By becoming a DBH, I have found that I am able to have different conversations with different people. Before having my doctorate degree, I was able to speak to certain items in behavioral health, but was only seen as a licensed therapist where as a doctor, I am able to speak to the changemakers and policy makers in a more collaborative manner which then allows us as a group to enhance the services we are providing. I also found that as a DBH, my confidence in the treatment room has improved immensely and cases that may have been more difficult for me before are no longer as difficult due to the training I have received in the program.”
Dr. Allison Earl, DBH, LPC-SDBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - November 13, 2024

“I think the DBH is quite groundbreaking, it allows you to study from anywhere in the world. The support is fantastic, and you can make out of the DBH what you want. Unlike standard professional doctorates, the DBH was trying to break new ground, not trying to go over just old ground. It greatly encourages its students to be those people who break new ground.

As a person who actually has a disability, I found CGI staff to be very supportive, very accommodating. If I need extensions, they are always there. In fact the staff will reach out and check on you, if they haven’t heard from you in a very short period of time. Which I have never had from any other university.

I find the community of fellow DBH students absolutely wonderful, we reach out across numerous social media platforms, we email each other. Doesn’t matter where I am in the world or where they are in the world, everyone is supportive. Its support, support and encouragement with the DBH.”
Jason P. Sargent, B Policing, GDip Psych, MSW, JPDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - December 10, 2024

“Graduating from the DBH program has influenced and enhanced my approach to addressing behavioral health challenges and making a difference in the field by preparing me to become a serious business owner. Through the DBH program, I understand now that becoming a business owner not only assists me in reaping the financial benefits of working for myself, but the program also offers me a sense of freedom to make a difference in an individual’s life.”
Dr. Rebecca K. Wright, DBH, LBA, BCBA, QBADBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - December 18, 2024

“I have always wanted to pursue a higher degree but never found a program that met my needs. When I investigated the DBH program, I can honestly say I was excited. It was a program that would expand my knowledge in behavioral health but also how it relates to physical health. The philosophy of treating the whole person was exactly what I was looking for.”
Elizabeth Nekoloff, M.Ed., LPCC-S, NCCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - January 16, 2025

“Prior to obtaining my DBH, I practiced behavioral health within the boundaries of behavior analysis. The DBH degree has given me the ability to broaden my scope of competence allowing me to provide a higher quality of care to my clients through a person-centered approach, while still staying within my scope of practice. I was in the beginning stages of opening my business when I enrolled in the DBH program which set my trajectory towards being a stronger leader. The program equipped me with essential healthcare leadership and entrepreneurial skills, allowing me to ensure high-quality services for my clients and foster a supportive work environment for our staff. It has also given me the confidence to expand my business and pursue other healthcare ventures, reaching a broader range of patients in need.”
Dr. Pauline Tolentino Pablo, DBH, BCBA, IBADBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - January 21, 2025

“Although I have worked with many patients who have mental health diagnoses, or behaviors which make managing their medical diagnoses and day to day life difficult, the DBH program at CGI is broadening that knowledge and providing a deeper understanding of behavioral health and how best to help these individuals manage their health and improve their quality of life. This will allow me to provide and advocate for more meaningful and seamless integrated care, providing new tools for my intervention toolbox, and the confidence and skills to collaborate within and lead whole person focused interdisciplinary teams. I also anticipate building upon my knowledge as a nurse case manager and long time caregiver, as well as my personal passions and professional vision, learning about processes and operations, to be in position to start up and lead my own company one day, offering the services and care I know every person should have access to.”
Hollie Wilson, MSN, RN, CCMDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 11, 2025

“The Doctor in Behavioral Health (DBH) program has changed my understanding of the subject and career path. Before this academic journey, my knowledge of behavioral health was primarily theoretical, including essential ideas and methods. However, the DBH curriculum combined intense academic research with practical application, helping me understand behavioral health from multiple angles. Recognizing mental health as part of total health changed my perspective. The biopsychosocial model, which showed how biological, psychological, and social variables affect mental health, was stressed in the DBH curriculum. This comprehensive approach made me realize how complex human behavior is and how important it is to address mental health issues. Effective interventions must target the individual’s surroundings, relationships, and life experiences, not just symptoms. The curriculum also gave me enhanced evidence-based practice training to execute successful solutions. Studies methods and data analysis classes improved my critical thinking and allowed me to evaluate and apply behavioral health studies. This gave me the confidence to contribute to the field’s knowledge base through practice and research.”
Dr. Rhea Hill, DBH, LPCDBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 17, 2025

“The DBH program will open opportunities for me to contribute to healthcare system innovation, particularly through trauma-informed care and integrated behavioral health settings. I will be better positioned to advocate for and implement holistic care models that improve health outcomes for underserved populations. Ultimately, this program will help me transition into higher-level roles, such as a director or consultant in behavioral health, where I can influence broader system changes and contribute to the future of healthcare delivery.”
DeKyn Rashad Peters, MPH-CHES,BSW/BA,APCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 4, 2025

“The DBH program has been integral in preparing me for leadership roles by providing a solid foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership within the behavioral health sector. Through coursework, case studies, and hands-on experiences, I have learned to lead with empathy, data-driven decision-making, and strategic planning. The program has also honed my skills in organizational development, communication, and policy advocacy, equipping me to effectively lead teams, drive impactful change, and foster environments that promote positive behavioral health outcomes. With this training, I am confident in my ability to lead initiatives that address systemic barriers and improve care delivery.”
Dr. Jerrika Henderson, DBH, CMHCDBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 18, 2025