Hays Area Children’s Center, in cooperation with Hays Interagency Coordinating Council, will offer free developmental screenings for children in Ellis and Rush counties.

Screenings will be Friday at Hays Area Children’s Center, 94 Lewis Drive, Hays.

The screenings are for children ages birth to 3. Children ages 3 to 5 also can be screened if parents have any concerns about their development.

The screenings help track progress in several developmental areas, including speech, language, vision, hearing, thinking, motor skills and personal-social behavior. Parents who have any concerns about their child’s development are encouraged to make an appointment, as screening can help catch possible problems at a younger age.

To make an appointment or for more information, contact Amy Leiker at Hays Area Children’s Center, (785) 625-3257. Appointments should be made at least 24 hours in advance, as paperwork is required.

The next screening for children up to age 5 will be May 1. Screenings also are scheduled for June 16 and July 22, but only will be available to ages birth to 3.