Early Childhood Development

The first years of a child's life are some of the most important in terms of cognitive, social, and physical development. Early experiences occurring when a child's brain and behavior are being shaped affect a child's ability to learn, to get along with others, and to develop an overall state of well-being. Unfortunately, not all children have the same positive experiences or opportunities, which can lead to disparities. Social, economic, and environmental factors have been closely linked to health disparities.

Research suggests that many disparities in overall health and well-being are rooted in early childhood. For example, those who lived in poverty as young children are more at-risk for leading causes of illness and death, and are more likely to experience poor quality of life. This growing problem costs the United States billions of dollars annually.

Our understanding of the lasting value of early experiences continues to grow. Interventions that support healthy development in early childhood reduce disparities, have lifelong positive impacts, and are prudent investments. Addressing these disparities effectively offers opportunities to help children, and benefits our society as a whole. View pdf of CDC Grandrounds presentation on Early Child Development. Together we can address health disparities in early childhood through increased collaborations, public health partnerships, and early intervention.

The Jeffco Community Health Improvement Network was formed in 2015. The Network is comprised of over 200 members working together to increase physical activity, healthy eating, and psyshosocial well-being among low-income families with children 0-18. By working together, partners throughout the county plan to use a collective impact framework to collaboratively and strategically improve the health and well-being of our community.

Jefferson County Public Health’s home visitation programs such as Prenatal Plus, Nurse Family Partnership and the Family Collaboration Programs as well as its HEAL in Early Childhood and Clinic Services provide the support necessary to keep children and their families healthy. The Community Health Services Division implements evidence-based prevention strategies to reduce health disparities and promote health equity to positively impact later health, well-being, education and productivity and self-sufficiency.

This article can also be found here: http://www.cdc.gov/cdcgrandrounds/archives/2016/march2016.htm

First time Moms . . . Here’s a program just for you!

Connect with Nurse Family Partnership

Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) is an evidence-based, community health program that helps transform the lives of vulnerable mothers pregnant with their first child. Each mother served by the program is partnered with a registered nurse early in her pregnancy and receives ongoing nurse home visits that continue through her child’s second birthday. Independent research proves that communities benefit from this relationship — every dollar invested in Nurse-Family Partnership can yield up to five dollars in return. Nurse-Family Partnership is based on more than 35 years of research from randomized, controlled trials that prove it works. Nurse-Family Partnership produces multi-generational outcomes that benefit communities and eliminate the costs of long-term social service programs. For example, the following outcomes have been observed among participants in at least one of the trials of the program:

• 48% reduction in child abuse and neglect 

• 56% reduction in emergency room visits for accidents and poisonings 

• 59% reduction in arrests at child age 15 

• 67% reduction in behavioral and intellectual problems at child age six 

• 72% fewer convictions of mothers at child age 15

In addition, Nurse-Family Partnership services have shown decreases in the number of families enrolled in Medicaid and food stamps programs, as well as improvements in pregnancy outcomes, health status, school achievement, parental employment and family stability. Help a first time mom you may know connect with NFP and change lives for the better.

For more information:

• Contact NFP: Mary Beth Mary Beth Wenger, Program Supervisor at 303-239-7074 or email: mwenger@jeffco.us
• Learn more about the Jefferson County Public Health Nurse Family Partnership program.

Empowering Pregnant Women to have a Healthy Pregnancy and a Healthy Baby . . . Prenatal Plus and Nurse Family Partnership

Prenatal Plus is for Medicaid eligible women, whether it’s their first or fifth child. A public health nurse, dietitian and/or mental health specialist will meet with mother during home or office visits throughout the pregnancy and up to 2 months after the baby is born. The team supports expecting moms in setting goals to positively impact the health of their baby and their family.

JCPH Nurse Family Partnership is for women having their first baby. A public health nurse will visit mother in her home during pregnancy and until baby is 2 years old. The nurse will help mother learn about pregnancy and parenting while helping mother set and achieve goals.

Please call 303-232-6301 to talk with a nurse about either of these programs.