Starting Ahead is Better than Catching Up

Checkout the newest video from the Heckman Equation. More information is available at heckmanequation.org.

April is... Week of the Young Child

National Week of the Young Child is a celebration of the children we serve and the steps we take to help ensure that their early years are learning years. Week of the Young Child is April 12-18 and this year's theme is "Celebrating Young Learners"! To learn more about how you can participate this week and join the Alabama Partnership for Children at the Alabama State House on Tuesday, April 14, visit http://www.smartstartalabama.org/get-involved/. 

As we celebrate Week of the Young Child, check out this infographic from Rasmussen College.

Photo Credit © 2012

Grade-Level Reading

Check out this video from the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and visit http://gradelevelreading.net/ to learn more.

Let's Read, Let's Move!

Check out this important reminder from the Corporation for National and Community Service:

United We Serve: Let’s Read. Let’s Move. calls on all Americans to participate in combating summer reading loss and childhood obesity through volunteering and service this summer.

Our nation’s youth need guidance to help build fit bodies and strong minds. Working together, Americans can foster a generation that is less prone to disease, has higher academic achievers, and is more educated about food and its effects on health. These factors can have lasting effects on a child’s overall development and future.

In this spirit, the Corporation for National and Community Service has again implemented the summer United We Serve: Let’s Read. Let’s Move. initiative. By encouraging Americans to serve, the Corporation is addressing summer reading loss and childhood obesity by engaging youth in summer reading and physical activity, as well as providing information about healthy, affordable food.

GET INVOLVED

• Read books with kids.
• Build or rehabilitate a playground.
• Create a community garden.
• Collect excess fresh, healthy foods to provide to kids in need.

SPREAD THE WORD!

• Activate your networks and spread the word that:
• kids need 60 minutes of play a day to be healthy.
• hunger doesn’t take a break for the summer: 19 million children receive free or reduced price meals during the school year, but only 2.3 million receive summer meals.
• reading five books during the summer prevents learning loss.

We want to hear about your own Let’s Read. Let’s Move. activities! Share how you or your organization is joining in the efforts to combat childhood obesity and summer learning loss by posting your service story on our Facebook page or letting us know on Twitter using the #LRLM hashtag.

For more information, visit the website or contact ServiceInitiative@cns.gov.

HMG & Cultural Competence

Help Me Grow is a system designed to connect children and families to the services they need. These services should be appropriate to a child's development and the family's culture.

Dr. Paul Dworkin, founder of Help Me Grow, visited Help Me Grow Minnesota and was asked, “How do we ensure that the resources offered by Help Me Grow to families are culturally appropriate and sensitive?” To learn the answer, check out his blog post.

Photo Credit

2-1-1 Strengthens Alabama's Families and Communities

2-1-1 Connects Alabama is network of call centers whose mission is to provide easy access to health and human services available throughout Alabama. The first call center was established in Montgomery in 2002 and the network has grown to provide services to all Alabama residents.

By making services easier to find, the 2-1-1 network strives to empower individuals with the information they need to "Get Help or Give Help" in their local communities. 2-1-1 serves individuals from all walks of life, but more importantly, vulnerable populations who struggle to connect to local resources and often slip through the cracks.

The objective of a 2-1-1 Call Specialist is to link the caller to information and available services such as:   

• Basic Human Needs: food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent and utility assistance, emergency food and shelters, State and Federal assistance, grief counseling, emergency financial assistance
• Physical and Mental Health: health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, children’s health insurance programs, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention, victims services, rehabilitation
• Employment Support: Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs
• Support for Elderly and Persons with Disabilities: adult day care, activity center meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services, specialized services for both young and old with disabilities
• Support for Children, Youth, and Families: advocacy, empowerment, child care, after-school programs, Early Head Start/Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, and protective services.

To connect to your local 2-1-1, it’s as easy as picking up the phone and dialing 2-1-1. You can learn more and access the online resource database here.

Family Resource Centers Help Families Grow

The Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers (ANFRC) is a strong advocate of Help Me Grow. ANFRC is made up of member agencies serving local communities. Each center is unique and provides services geared toward specific community needs. The centers share common ground, however, in the quality of services they provide. In order to become a member of ANFRC, each center must prove that it meets 25 standards of practice, which the Alabama Legislature passed into law in May of 2000.

Each Family Resource Center provides a broad range of services, including services for families of young children. These services are geared toward supporting parents, keeping children safe, and supporting school readiness and school success. Many ANFRC members offer home visiting programs, such as Parents as Teachers and HIPPY, in order to help parents prepare their children for school. Several ANFRC members have also participated in Books, Balls, and Blocks Help Me Grow events.

ANFRC agencies are able to help each family succeed using a comprehensive service plan developed by the family. This process allows families to identify goals they want to achieve, helps them to identify steps to take, and utilize resources for achieving their goals. Once a family’s plan is developed, a Family Resource Center staff member then meets with the family on a regular basis to help the family evaluate their progress toward achieving their goals.

For more information on ANFRC and its member agencies, visit the website at www.anfrconline.homestead.com or call Robin Mackey at (256) 310-6621.

10th Annual Joining Hands for Week of the Young Child - Updated

Update: The Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) is cancelling the 10th annual Joining Hands for Week of the Young Child event that was scheduled for April 9th at the State House. APC has learned that this year’s legislative session (which was on the calendar to end April 28th) is on track to end as early as April 7th, so legislators will have left the State House and returned to their home districts by the event date of April 9th. In light of this new information, you are encouraged to engage lawmakers in your local community as they return home from the legislative session. In keeping with previous years, child advocates across the state should coordinate with anyone that works with young children to collect handprints that children have traced and decorated. 

Please keep all handprints and DO NOT mail to the APC. If you have already mailed handprints, these handprints will be returned and should be mailed or personally delivered to your legislators and city officials.

If you are interested in celebrating Week of the Young Child by advocating for young children in your local community, visit www.legislature.state.al.us to determine local contact information for your legislators. State lawmakers are always interested in hearing from constituents on the issues that are important to them. Don’t be afraid to invite legislators to your facility and be sure to engage them in any Week of the Young Child activities you may have planned. Listed below are some easy ways to celebrate Week of the Young Child:

• Visit your local lawmaker and deliver child handprint artwork to remind them of the needs of young children. 
• Host a day at the mall, with activities for children and information for parents from family service organizations. 
• Have a children’s parade through town. 
• Have a proclamation signed by a city government official. 
• Post art done by children in local restaurants and businesses. 
• Decorate community store windows to promote the celebration. 
• Have an art project set up at a child care center for parents and children to do together. 
• Support programs that provide quality early childhood education by volunteering at a local school, community center, Head Start, or child care program. 
• Have local newspapers cover activities during the week. 
• Have an award for parents to nominate someone they think is an exceptional friend of young children. 
• Educate yourself and others about the importance of quality early childhood education in preparing young children for school. 

The Alabama Partnership for Children would love to know of any activities planned in local communities. Contact mpiggott[at]smartstartalabama[dot]org or call toll-free (866) 711-4025.

First Class Pre-K

Here at Help Me Grow, we believe high quality early childhood experiences are a key factor towards a child’s long-term success. We are glad the state is expanding its First Class Pre-K program, and there have been recent events attended by many state and local officials featuring three child development programs.

A program of the Department of Children's Affairs

On September 19th there was a First Class Pre-K ribbon cutting event at Kitty Stone Elementary in Jacksonville. Del Marsh, President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate, State Representative K.L. Brown, and State Representative Randy Wood attended and gave insightful remarks about the importance of quality early learning. The event received media coverage from multiple news outlets including Fox 6, The Anniston Star/Jacksonville News, and AL.com.

A similar event was held on October 9th at University Daycare in Auburn. Mike Hubbard, Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, and State Senator Tom Whatley were both present and spoke about the high return on investment in early childhood. The Opelika-Auburn News, WSFA, and others have covered this story.

The last Pre-K classroom to hold an official ribbon-cutting in this series was at Heavenly Sent Learning Center in Foley, Alabama on October 14th. State Senator Tripp Pittman and State Representative Stephen McMillan were both on hand to join in the celebration. Both legislators serve on committees that appropriate funds which ultimately reach First Class Pre-K. Read more about the event in Foley from the Press-Register.

Autism News

We've gathered some autism spectrum disorder news and opportunities to learn more:

- This story comes from Thrive by Five in Washington: A breakthrough in autism research holds both the potential for earlier diagnosis of the disorder (a core component of Help Me Grow) and a better understanding of the important role social interactions play in early childhood development. The new study from the University of Washington's Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) found brain activity among toddlers with autism can predict later cognitive, linguistic and adaptive development.

"Infants use social cues, such as tracking adults’ eye movements to learn the names of things, and must be interested in people to learn in this way. Paying attention to people is a way for babies to sort through all that is happening around them and serves as a gate to know what is important. But with autism, social impairments impede children’s interest in, and ability to pick up cues. They find themselves paying attention to many other things, especially objects as opposed to people."

- NPR reviewed new research about autistic children's response to human voice. Additionally, this story describes the strides museums are taking to respond to the needs of visitors with ASD.

- To find out more about making your business more autism-friendly or if you're looking for autism-friendly events and other supports, contact Autism Society of Alabama (1-877-4AUTISM).

- If you're interested in autism spectrum disorder and want to know more, you should register for this post-conference autism workshop as part of the 29th Annual Early Intervention and Preschool Conference at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center in November:

Evidence-based Intervention for the Young Child with Autism: Making the strategies work for you
Little Champions....Big Dreams
November 20, 2013; 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd, N, Birmingham, AL 35213

Workshop Content:
· Review the most recent research in evidence based models of intervention for very young children with autism spectrum disorder
· Discuss similarities and differences among models in order to highlight key strategies
· Overview “key strategies”
· Discuss strategies drawn from research with case examples and audience participation

Elizabeth McMahon Griffith, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the section of Neurodevelopmental Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Colorado and a practicing Psychologist on the Child Development Unit at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She received her doctorate from the University of Denver and completed her clinical training at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine in the LEND program. She has extensive experience in evaluation and intervention with individuals with developmental disabilities. Her primary areas of interest are in working with very young children with autism and their families, and in dissemination of ‘best practices’ into community settings. She is trained in a variety of intervention models, and is both a certified provider and a trainer in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM).

For hotel reservations, call 205-324-5000 or follow this link. Sheraton Hotel Room rates: $113 for single/double plus tax (cut-off date is October 19, 2013). For conference registration and more information, go to http://www.ucpalabama.org/.
$100 Registration fee (or $50 if also attending the regular conference)

Pregnancy Prevention

When it comes to supporting strong families and healthy children, we care about all ages! The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Branch of Family Health Services is hosting their 2nd Annual Professional Development Conference on June 27-28, 2013 at the Alabama Activity Center (201 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery). Keynote speaker will be David Walsh, PhD, one of the world's leading authorities on children, teens, parenting, family life, and the impacts of technology on children's health and development. Additional speakers will cover topics related to early brain development, youth at risk, bullying and human trafficking. The Conference fee is $25 and this includes lunch and snacks. Seating is limited and the registration deadline is June 21st, so register now!

According to The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unwanted Pregnancy, the national teen pregnancy and parenting rate has plummeted over the past two decades, but few Americans are aware of this great success. Their infographic, The Greatest Story Never Told (pdf), reflects data collected from a national telephone survey conducted by Social Science Research Solutions for The National Campaign. We hope you'll share the good news and continue to support Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention.

National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

Thursday, May 9th is National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the nation's leader for children's mental health services. SAMHSA's "Caring for Every Child's Mental Health" public awareness effort was created in 1994 with the mission to increase awareness around children's mental health. Every year there is a renewed public awareness effort and theme.

This year SAMHSA focuses on the importance of social connectedness—a sense of community—in enhancing resilience in young adults with mental health and substance use challenges at home, school, work, and in accessing health care services.

Watch this year's video here

Follow these links for more SAMHSA resources:
2013 - Social Connectedness Virtual Event
2012 - Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Report

2011 - Child Resilience PSA
2010 - School Readiness PSA
2009 - Mental Health as a Priority PSA

Family Outreach - Books, Balls, and Blocks

Last month we featured Robin Mackey and her work with Strengthening Families. Today she shares her experiences with us in light of a recent Books, Balls, and Blocks event...

As a social worker I have worked with families in a variety of settings. I have found my recent work, focused on early childhood, to be especially rewarding. I have seen firsthand, the difficulties families face in addressing challenges experienced by older children. The fact is that when a teenager is experiencing social, emotional or behavioral difficulties, families often find themselves struggling to find the right help. Those fortunate enough to get the help they need still face a steep uphill battle to achieve the change they hope for.

In contrast, the early childhood world is all about bright beginnings. We know that when families get what they need when children are young, those children are set on a positive trajectory toward excellent outcomes. When challenges are identified, families of young children have an opportunity to take steps to prevent problems from escalating and, in many cases, reverse any negative effects.

I recently had the opportunity to see just how important it is to get information and support to families. At a recent community event called Books, Balls and Blocks (which was piloted by HMG Utah) parents had an opportunity to complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3 (ASQ-3) while their children engaged in developmentally enriching play. Of the 28 parents who came through the event, 4 identified some type of developmental concern when they completed their ASQ-3. Those families immediately received referrals for support, including information on how to connect to Help Me Grow. It helped me to remember how important this work is. We can’t give up in reaching out to families and helping them to understand what healthy child development looks like and how to find help if they have concerns.

Strengthening Families and Help Me Grow

Strengthening Families is a national framework that is being implemented in Alabama through the Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) with support from many agencies and partners.

Strengthening Families is a framework based upon five protective factors-

1. Parental Resilience: a family's ability to bounce back from setbacks

2. Social Connections: a family's network of resources and support

3. Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: parent's confidence and preparedness as their child's first observer, teacher, and health care provider

4. Concrete Support in Times of Need: parent's know how to get help and who to turn to

5. Social and Emotional Competence of Children: children have needs met and are encouraged towards developmental success

Help Me Grow AL has an exciting opportunity with Strengthening Families offered by the Alabama Public Health Training Network. Strengthening Families and Help Me Grow: Tools You Can Use to Help Families is a satellite conference and live webcast scheduled for January 10th from 10-11:30am (CST). The webcast is open to the public, but you must go here to register. During the webcast you'll learn a lot more about the Alabama Partnership for Children, Strengthening Families in Alabama, and how Help Me Grow is connected.

You should also check out this short document if you're interested in understanding the national connection between Strengthening Families and Help Me Grow. To open the PDF directly, click here OR to go to the HMG National page where the PDF is available, click here.

Let's Play!

A few weeks ago, HMG staff hosted a Books, Balls, and Blocks event in Walker County. Help Me Grow: Books, Balls, and Blocks (BBB) is a free event held for children and their families. The purpose of the event is to screen children for developmental delays in the first five years of life.

The event is fun, educational, and exciting! While children engage in games and activities at different stations, parents learn how these interactions help stimulate their child’s development. 

This child LOVED sensory play in the pool of packing peanuts.

While the children are playing, parents complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). The ASQ-3 is reliable, valid, cost-effective, and easy to use. The ASQ-3 is the recommended tool to screen children for developmental delays. There are professionals on-site who score the completed ASQ-3's. Afterwards, parents receive a follow-up from a professional to learn if his or her child’s development 1) appears on schedule, 2) needs to be monitored and provided learning activities, or 3) requires further assessment with a professional.

Parents are given resources concerning their child’s development and fun activities that they can do with their child! Free community resources are also available at the event!

Our hope is for “Help Me Grow: Book, Balls, and Blocks” to be a free, fun, and exciting event, while supporting healthy development among children in your community.