Connecting Vulnerable Children and Families to Community-Based Programs Strengthens Parents' Perceptions of Protective Factors

Hughes, Marcia; Joslyn, Allison; Wojton, Morella; O'Reilly, M.; Dworkin, Paul H.

doi:10.1097/iyc.0000000000000059

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The Help Me Grow program is one example of a statewide framework that can connect parents with developmental questions to appropriate resources, increasing parent engagement in early childhood. 25 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decreasing Disparities in Child Development Assessment: Identifying and Discussing Possible Delays in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Zuckerman

Chavez

Reeder

2017

J Dev Behav Pediatr

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Objectives To assess how staff at Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics address potential developmental delays and parent developmental concerns in children <5 years. Methods A web-based survey of Oregon WIC staff in non-administrative roles assessed staff interactions with parents regarding concerning child development/behavior, perceptions of connectedness with local developmental resources, and knowledge of typical child development. Results Staff (n=153) responses indicated knowledge of typical child development, frequent interactions with families about child development, and frequent noticing of developmental concerns. However, most staff reported being less than very well connected to developmental resources. Open-ended responses suggested staff frequently make direct referrals to Early Intervention, public health nurses, and others who can further assess developmental concerns. Conclusions Although it is outside the primary scope of their work, developmental and behavioral concerns are frequently raised and addressed by WIC staff. Findings suggest that strengthening existing referral processes and enhancing continuity of care between WIC and developmental providers may improve child outcomes and reduce disparities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decreasing Disparities in Child Development Assessment: Identifying and Discussing Possible Delays in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Zuckerman

Chavez

Reeder

2017

J Dev Behav Pediatr

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“…Screening, early identification, and linkage to services can prevent vulnerable children (i.e., children at risk for or with a developmental delay) from progressing to levels of higher risk ( 14 ). For disadvantaged groups, early intervention can yield the greatest social and economic returns ( 15 ).…”

Section: Identifying Vulnerable Children and Informing Actionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An example of a program that has reduced service gaps by integrating available services for children is Help Me Grow ¶ . Help Me Grow serves as a centralized point of entry for both state- and community-based services where families of vulnerable children are matched to service agencies that offer the support they need ( 14 ). Through a single information line, vulnerable children who are likely to meet eligibility criteria are linked to one or more publicly funded early intervention services, preschool special education services, and interventions for children with special health care needs.…”

Section: Integrating Support Services For Vulnerable Children and Thementioning

confidence: 99%

CDC Grand Rounds: Addressing Health Disparities in Early Childhood

Robinson¹,

Bitsko²,

Thompson³

et al. 2017

MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep.

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“…This study also aims to evaluate whether additional support through a ‘service navigator’ (i.e., WMG-E + service navigator) increases family access and uptake of services for families identified as at high-risk by WMG-E. Previous research conducted by Hughes and colleagues [ 13 ] has shown that the involvement of a service navigator can enhance families’ connections to services. The role of the service navigator, similar to that of the care coordinator in Hughes et al’s [ 13 ] study, will be to review the parents’ mental health, psychosocial, and developmental screener results, connect them with relevant support services as needed, facilitate access and uptake of recommended services and provide continuity of care to ensure that their needs are met.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous research conducted by Hughes and colleagues [ 13 ] has shown that the involvement of a service navigator can enhance families’ connections to services. The role of the service navigator, similar to that of the care coordinator in Hughes et al’s [ 13 ] study, will be to review the parents’ mental health, psychosocial, and developmental screener results, connect them with relevant support services as needed, facilitate access and uptake of recommended services and provide continuity of care to ensure that their needs are met. Specifically, in the intervention group, the navigator will contact the family initially to discuss and clarify the concerns that were raised by the family while completing WMG-E. Once the service navigator has clarified the family’s needs, they will provide guidance to the family on available services and supports in their local area, whom to speak to at relevant agencies, specific questions to ask, and, if necessary, help complete referral forms and where needed directly link them with the service.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Watch Me Grow- Electronic (WMG-E)” surveillance approach to identify and address child development, parental mental health, and psychosocial needs: study protocol

Eapen

Woolfenden

Schmied

et al. 2021

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic recession has increased parental psychosocial stress and mental health challenges. This has adversely impacted child development and wellbeing, particularly for children from priority populations (culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and rural/regional communities) who are at an already increased risk of health inequality. The increased mental health and psychosocial needs were compounded by the closure of in-person preventive and health promotion programs resulting in health organisations embracing technology and online services. Watch Me Grow- Electronic (WMG-E) – developmental surveillance platform- exemplifies one such service. WMG-E was developed to monitor child development and guide parents towards more detailed assessments when risk is identified. This Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) aims to expand WMG-E as a digital navigation tool by also incorporating parents’ mental health and psychosocial needs. Children and families needing additional assessments and supports will be electronically directed to relevant resources in the ‘care-as-usual’ group. In contrast, the intervention group will receive continuity of care, with additional in-person assessment and ‘warm hand over’ by a ‘service navigator’ to ensure their needs are met. Methods Using an RCT we will determine: (1) parental engagement with developmental surveillance; (2) access to services for those with mental health and social care needs; and (3) uptake of service recommendations. Three hundred parents/carers of children aged 6 months to 3 years (recruited from a culturally diverse, or rural/regional site) will be randomly allocated to the ‘care-as-usual’ or ‘intervention’ group. A mixed methods implementation evaluation will be completed, with semi-structured interviews to ascertain the acceptability, feasibility and impact of the WMG-E platform and service navigator. Conclusions Using WMG-E is expected to: normalise and de-stigmatise mental health and psychosocial screening; increase parental engagement and service use; and result in the early identification and management of child developmental needs, parental mental health, and family psychosocial needs. If effective, digital solutions such as WMG-E to engage and empower parents alongside a service navigator for vulnerable families needing additional support, will have significant practice and policy implications in the pandemic/post pandemic period. Trial registration The trial (Protocol No. 1.0, Version 3.1) was registered with ANZCTR (registration number: ACTRN12621000766819) on July 21st, 2021 and reporting of the trial results will be according to recommendations in the CONSORT Statement.

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Connecting Vulnerable Children and Families to Community-Based Programs Strengthens Parents' Perceptions of Protective Factors

Cited by 11 publications

References 8 publications

Decreasing Disparities in Child Development Assessment: Identifying and Discussing Possible Delays in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Decreasing Disparities in Child Development Assessment: Identifying and Discussing Possible Delays in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

CDC Grand Rounds: Addressing Health Disparities in Early Childhood

“Watch Me Grow- Electronic (WMG-E)” surveillance approach to identify and address child development, parental mental health, and psychosocial needs: study protocol

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