Getting to Know Katie

Last week we got to meet Katie Naman, Help Me Grow Alabama Coordinator. Here's a little information about what she's been up to...

I am so excited to join the Alabama Partnership for Children as the new HMG Alabama coordinator, and to have the opportunity to help expand a program that has already done such great work in Alabama. It’s been a little over a month since I came on board, but in that brief time, I have been so lucky to attend great meetings and witness how clearly Help Me Grow fits into the early childhood community.

The first meeting I attended was the “Doing What Matters” conference in Tuscaloosa that brought together leaders like Melanie Bridgeforth from VOICES for Alabama’s Children to share how far Alabama has come in national rankings for health, school readiness, and education, and the challenges to keep improving. Next, I was able to meet some of the amazing HMG leadership team to gain a historical perspective on HMG in Alabama and the hard work behind where we are today. We joined the Project LAUNCH team that same day for the first Young Child Wellness Council meeting that brought together early childhood leaders from around the state who will utilize HMG to increase developmental screening and identify the barriers and gaps in services in Alabama. My next stop was the Governor’s Early Childhood Education Leadership Summit in Montgomery, where we heard from national and state leaders about the exciting momentum in brain development research, early child care, and Alabama’s First Class Pre-K. It became even more apparent after hearing the information how these shared goals align with HMG’s mission to achieve the earliest identification and intervention for children at risk for developmental delays. Finally, at the end of February I attended the 14th Annual Alabama Autism Conference that gave attendees the opportunity to hear from leaders like Dr. Ami Klin who pointed to the critical “window of change” between birth and 3 years old where early diagnosis could have the greatest impact on the quality of life for a child and their family.

Last month I met many different people and heard from many different speakers, but they all had one important thing in common. They all want what is best for Alabama’s children and recognize that it is essential to invest the time and resources into early childhood to ensure every child has the best chance to be healthy and happy. I thought Commissioner Nancy Buckner highlighted perfectly the importance of ensuring the highest quality programs and initiatives for children when she said, “It’s far less costly to raise a healthy child, then to repair a dysfunctional adult”. I think Help Me Grow will be a vital link in making this a reality in Alabama, and I am so grateful to be in a position where I can help make it happen!

HMG Staff Spotlight: Katie Naman

It's been a while since we've posted, but that's because there have been exciting new changes and growth among the HMG staff. First, let's meet Katie Naman...

Katie recently joined our staff as the Help Me Grow Alabama Coordinator. The Help Me Grow initiative is currently being implemented in the Central Alabama area, and Katie has joined the APC to continue working towards statewide expansion. Katie received a B.S. degree in Nutrition Science from Auburn University and a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health Leadership and Policy from UAB. She recently completed internships with both the Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council (AIACC) and the Autism Society of Alabama. She also comes with research experience from UAB and over 10 years of direct child care experience. Katie is originally from Mobile, Alabama and will soon be moving to the Montgomery area from Birmingham.

On PBS Tonight!

TONIGHT at 10pm Eastern Time, watch the second episode of the PBS Independent Lens series, A Path Appears. Journalist Nicholas Kristof joins actress and early childhood advocate Jennifer Garner as she returns to her native West Virginia to visit families enrolled in Save the Children’s Early Steps home visiting program.  The documentary introduces us to Johnny Weethee, who was just accepted into pre-K with the help of program coordinator Tonya Bonecutter. This moving story demonstrates how early interventions can have a transformative effect on a young child’s life.

Babies on the Homefront

ZERO TO THREE’s Military Family Projects announces their newest resource, Babies on the Homefront. This free app for smartphones is available in both English and Spanish on iTunes and the Google Play store.

Babies on the Homefront is designed especially for military and Veteran families as they navigate the many transitions that are part of serving—including deployment, reintegration, moving, and transitioning back to civilian life. The free app makes it easy to select from behavior tips and activities for parents and children, with a special section for parental self-care. The app also provides access to a series of newly developed, short video podcasts on a range of parenting topics particularly relevant to military and Veteran families.

You may access materials including the promotional video and a parent handout that may be duplicated at http://babiesonthehomefront.org/

Considering Autism Interventions

Anna McConnell, Dept. of Mental Health State Autism Coordinator, brings us some of the current resources available regarding different autism intervention and treatment strategies. For more posts about autism (many by Anna) just follow our new Autism label on the blog!

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Developmental screenings are crucial for identifying delays in children, leading to earlier intervention. The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) released the Environmental Scan: State Strategies and Initiatives to Improve Developmental and Autism Screening and Early Identification Systems publication, which describes various states’ efforts to create a well-developed system of care that emphasizes early screening, assessment, and intervention. Once identified, finding and paying for interventions in Alabama is not always easy. While there are a number of services accessible for children with delays, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), lack of adequate insurance coverage issues may make services inaccessible and depending on where a family lives, resources may not be available.

Recent news articles have featured therapies and interventions that have aided children with ASD in making great gains. One resource that provides guidance about which interventions are evidence-based and effective for specific age groups has been published by the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders. The 2014 Evidence Based Practice Report (pdf) is a great resource for any service provider or family member who is considering appropriate interventions. Social, communication, and school readiness are the areas most addressed across interventions for the birth through age five category. In Alabama, we hope that the system of care for those with ASD will continue to develop and improve for early screening, identification, and intervention. These are helpful resources to consider as Alabama continues to move forward in its work for those with ASD.

Raising Food-Smart Kids

Like last week’s post, we’re still trying to help you keep your resolve to have a healthy family – hopefully a year-round goal! As you are leading in your family, “creating a nutritional home is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure the health of your child. To start, make smart food choices, and help your child develop a positive relationship with healthy food. Your children will learn their food smarts from your example.” Read these “10 Ways to Raise Food-Smart Kids” and remember that this is an ongoing process – take these as encouragement towards the future and don’t get discouraged if things don’t always go according to plan.

Healthy eating for kids is important, but sometimes it can be a struggle to serve foods children like. KidsHealth provides some great recipes for creative ways to serve kids healthy, fun foods they can enjoy.

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ABCDE This Year!

The New Year always brings New Year’s resolutions, and they aren’t always easy to keep. Here are some great ideas for parents and caregivers to “ABCDE” (Act Boldly to Change Diet and Exercise). As a parent, you are a role model! The foods you eat and the patterns you hold set an example for children. Download this PDF from the American Psychological Association for great ideas for keeping yourself and your kids on track towards healthy goals!

Staying active doesn’t have to be complicated. KidsHealth reminds us that a simple game of tag or bending over to tie shoes can be good endurance and flexibility exercises. They provide these tips for raising fit kids:

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• Help your kids participate in a variety of age-appropriate activities.
• Establish a regular schedule for physical activity.
• Incorporate activity into daily routines, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Embrace a healthier lifestyle yourself, so you'll be a positive role model for your family.
• Keep it fun, so you can count on your kids to come back for more.

For even more suggestions, check out this article on “Raising a Fit Preschooler”.