By Chris Mason-Hale, BSW, MCDD community advocate
In April, Kennedy Krieger Institute and Special Olympics Maryland launched the Child and Family Health Intervention pilot for children from birth to 7 years old. The pilot was implemented as a part of the therapeutic child care program of Kennedy Krieger’s Early Childhood Development and Education Centers in Windsor Mill and Baltimore City. The pilot included three components: family health forums, the Young Athletes program, and Healthy Young Athletes pediatric health screenings.
The family health forums consist of virtual, one-hour sessions during which parents can learn about the pilot program, local resources, and strategies for common parenting challenges. Led by Kennedy Krieger staff members, the sessions cover topics such as:
- Managing caregiver stress
- Circle of Security® Network
- Healthy eating and sleep habits
- Information about individualized family service plans (IFSPs) and individualized education programs (IEPs).
The Young Athletes program is a six-week motor skills course integrated into classroom activities at the two locations. The program encourages participants to engage with peers, practice social skills and follow instructions. To reinforce learning, the program also extends into the home environment.
The pilot program concludes with the free Healthy Young Athletes pediatric screening event, during which children receive developmental assessments, physical exams and vitals checks, and their health information is reviewed by a neurodevelopmental pediatrician. Screening data can be shared with a child’s primary care provider and used for school and summer activity registration.
As we move into the second year of the pilot program, we aim to expand our support for families by increasing participation, introducing additional topics in the family health forums, and hosting another Healthy Young Athletes pediatric screening event. We look forward to continuing to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of the children and families we serve.
