Summary
: Positive life experiences and nurturing care are critical to a child's brain development during the first five years. The parent is the child's first, most influential teacher. The research shows that evidence-based home visiting programs have a positive effect on school readiness and maternal and child health. Columbus Extension was positioned to meet criteria of Governor's Office for Children and Families (GOCF) to receive $875,000 in Maternal, Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) federal funds to develop a community plan and implement three evidence-based home visiting programs, central intake system, expand the early childhood system of care, and create a welcoming culture for every family and child at birth through age five years. Georgia taxpayers benefit from reduced school remediation costs, as well as reduced health care costs due to reduced use of emergency rooms and fewer days in NICU.
Situation
: Research continues to focus on the phenomenal brain growth and development that occurs pre-natally and during the first five years of life, which has a profound effect throughout the lifespan. Many children are not ready to succeed in school when they enter about age five years. Parents influence their children 24/7 and are their child's first, most influential teachers. They need education and community support to practice nurturing care and provide positive, multi-sensory experiences in a healthy physical and emotional environment.
Taxpayer costs are influenced by school remediation, low graduation rates, use of emergency rooms for primary care, accidental injuries in home and motor vehicle, incarnation of juveniles for unruly behavior and/or crimes, foster care of children with a parent in prison. . . and more.
This situation is important to all taxpayers because prevention investment gives greater return on taxpayer dollars than does remediation. Development of human capital is important to Columbus as a place where people want to live, work and play in the future.
Response
: Columbus Cooperative Extension was prepared to accept a project from the Governor's Office for Children and Families to develop and implement a community plan to address six benchmark areas through evidence-based home visiting programs, central intake and community outreach systems, critical areas of poor outcomes for infants, young children and their families, a proven track record of managing grants and meeting deliverables, a sound fiscal agent, and a city reputation for effective public-private partnerships.
A community plan was accepted by GOCF for funding from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA – MIECHV program) in the amount of $875,000 per year as long as contract deliverables are met until 2015. The program is voluntary and free.
Three home visiting programs were selected: Parents As Teachers, Healthy Families Georgia and Nurse-Family Partnership; Central Intake Coordinator, Early Childhood System of Care Specialist, Community Peer Liaison, and Administrative Associate position functions and descriptions were developed, Sixteen people were hired, trained in model implementation, data collection/entry, curricula and began working to fulfill contract deliverables and maintain model fidelity. They have conducted home visits, community education programs, peer group education, community awareness events, projects and outreach to engage community partners, support all expectant and new parents and their children under age five years.
Impact
: All year one contract deliverables have been achieved and quarterly reports submitted on time. With collaborative impact philosophy, the community is moving in the right direction. All data have been entered into the GEOHVIS data management system operated by the Center for Family Research at the University of Georgia. The new funding stream is enabling us to reach 250 at risk families and work with them during one to four home visits per family per month, depending on the family's needs and model requirements. All referrals were driven through Central Intake. The System of Care is now known as Great Start Columbus, Georgia.
A Community Resource Guide is one component of the First Steps packet provided to families.
By the numbers (from January 1 to September 30, 2012): 432 clients were core screened; 262 referred to First Steps; 52 mothers enrolled (28 prenatal); 464 home visits (1 to 2 hours each HV);
323 introduced safety information and 347 conducted brain-building activities in the home.
There were no low-birth weight babies born to moms enrolled prenatally; no sleep-related deaths of children in enrolled families.
Benchmark Results:
1. Improved Maternal and Newborn Health
37% of core screens were prenatal
10 of 38 depression screens were positive
2. Prevention of Child Injuries, Child Maltreatment and Reduction of ER Visits
ER Visits during last 6 months = 8 children and 21 mothers
Each participant receives safety information on safe sleep, shaken baby syndrome, child
care safety, passenger safety and basic care
3. Improvements in School Readiness and Advancement
PAT, GGK and PIPE curricula are used by home visitors
Support development, nurturing care and empathetic parent-child relationships for 0-3
296 Brain-building activities/home visits
75% of ASQ-SEs conducted indicated delays
4. Reduction of Domestic Violence
34 completed Domestic Violence screen; 10 at risk; 6 now have safety plan after positive screening fo DV
5. Improvements in Family Economic Self-Sufficiency
Home visitors have developed IFS Plans with mothers and referred to appropriate community services
6. Improvements in Coordination and Referrals for Other Community Resources and Supports
Formal MOUs with 30
Identified POC at agency/organization more than 30
Partnerships with over 55 community groups
ECSOC/Great Start Columbus meets monthly
2 community events: April Month of Young Child; launch of GSC
MIECHV personnel conducted 69 community and group connectional programs that reached 982 people in Columbus
MIECHV personnel appear monthly on “Extension On The Move” cable TV show that airs
2-3 timed daily/365; magazine format of 30 minutes/show.
State Issue
Positive Development for Individuals, Families and Communities
Details
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Year:
2012
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Geographic Scope:
County
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County:
Muscogee
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Program Areas:
- Family and Consumer Sciences
