Every Child Succeeds, an innovative public-private partnership to help first-time, at-risk mothers and their babies, has been recognized with national award. The program was one of only five in the nation to receive the 2008 American Hospital Association NOVA Award for improving community health through collaborative projects. Every Child Succeeds is intended to provide an optimal physical and emotional start in life for children. The program, made possible by the support of private donors and public funds, was founded in 1999 by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency and United Way of Greater Cincinnati.
Nurses, social workers and child development specialists visit mothers and their babies on a regular basis from the time of pregnancy until the child’s third birthday. Home visitors offer parenting support and guidance, such as tracking the baby’s development, providing health and nutrition education, and assessing the home environment to ensure that it is safe and stimulating. The program is voluntary and all services are provided free. Since 1999, Every Child Succeeds has served more than 13,500 families through more than 261,000 home visits.
The program has shown tangible results, says Judy VanGinkel, president of Every Child Succeeds. "Perhaps the most compelling evidence is that infant mortality rates for program participants are less than one-third of the Hamilton County infant mortality rate," she says.
Writer: David Holthaus
Source: Jim Feuer, Cincinnati Children's
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