Baby Bear Hugs (Regional Home Visitation Program) We serve all families with children 0 to 5 years old. Regional Home Visitation Program dba Baby Bear Hugs a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Eastern Colorado. March 30, 2010

Prenatal through 5 years Universal Voluntary Prenatal through 5 years Providing parenting education, support, and connection to community resources.

Our Mission: enhance family strengths, prevent abuse and neglect of Promote positive parenting, enhance family strengths, prevent abuse and neglect of infants and children.

Baby Bear Hugs (Regional Home Visitation Program) 1,289 babies born per year in BBH region. (Yellow) 17,260 Sq. Miles Population 111,300 Where KIT KARSON Elbert CHEYENNE KIOWA March 30, 2010

Programs of BBH Universal Programs Northeast Nurse Family Partnership SafeCare Colorado

Baby Bear Hugs Curriculum Program Delivered by: Bright By Three Visit A – Prenatal to 12 months Visit B – 12 to 24 months Visit C – 24 to 26 months Universal Programs Nurse Family Partnership SafeCare Colorado Nurse Family Partnership Specific Curriculum SafeCare Specific Curriculum Partners for a Healthy Baby curriculum Nurturing Parenting Curriculum Healthy Living Curriculum Cavity Free at Three

Baby Bear Hugs (Regional Home Visitation Program) Part A: Prenatal-12 Months Research shows that nurturing and stimulating interactions between infants and parents provide a foundation for children to have a healthy start on life. Part A of our program may start either prior to the infant’s birth (via prenatal classes) or within the first year of your child’s life. You will learn about: New baby brain development Physical development Nutrition Immunizations Healthcare Postpartum depression Breastfeeding Childcare You’ll also learn the value of talking to, reading with and playing with your child to help develop gross and fine motor skills. March 30, 2010

Part B: 12-24 Months Studies show that when parents talk with, engage and encourage their young children, a child will become confident, intellectually prepared, have better social-emotional skills and lead overall healthier lives by the time s/he enters kindergarten.   You will learn about: Preventative health Nutrition Safety Physical activity Social-emotional development It also focuses on language growth and the importance of early developmental screenings for hearing, vision, and language delay.

  Part C: 24-36 Months The research behind this program shows that a supportive environment leads to strengthened relationships and bonds of attachment for children, which are key factors in social, emotional, and intellectual development.   You will learn about: Health Safety Developmental milestones Conversation Language acquisition Playing and daily physical activity Didactic reading Effective and positive discipline methods Games/activities to stimulate healthy development

Ongoing visits: Provided by trained staff In the home of the family, or alternate location. Personalized to meet the needs of the family, providing support, education and connection to community resources.

Northeast Nurse-Family Partnership Serves first time, low income moms Most effective if initiated early in pregnancy, but family can be eligible if infant age is 30 days or less Experienced registered nurse visits family in their home 2-4 times per month Home visits continue until baby turns 2 Evidence based http://www.nursefamilypartnership.org/

Universal Program Serves ALL “soon to be” parents and families with children ages 0-3 Families can join at any time before the child’s third birthday Experienced Parenting Educators visit the families 2-4 times per month.

Partners For a Healthy Baby The curriculum is designed to help the home visitor: Prepare parents with the knowledge and skills needed to care for their baby and support optimal bonding and attachment. Encourage parents to engage in activities that support all aspects of their child's development. Promote changes toward healthier lifestyles for expectant and parenting families.

Nurturing Parenting Program A research based approach to improving parental capacity and effectiveness. Parents learn: How to have appropriate expectations, How to understand and value children’s needs (empathy), discipline techniques, what are appropriate family roles, and how to empower children to make good choices. Helps families increase closeness, cooperation, and appreciation to decrease conflict and potential abuse. Parents also learn the importance of nurturing themselves. Available in a class setting or in home by a parenting educator. Weekly sessions involving both parents and their children.

Healthy Living Program Eating Smart – Being Active curriculum through CSU. BBH main focus – increase intake of fruits and vegetables and increase activity! Lessons for expecting parents, babies, toddlers. 8 week series covering the USDA “My Plate”, reading labels, buying food, cooking, choosing appropriate foods, eating a balanced diet, and staying active. Delivered during ongoing home visits and in classes. Fun additions to the curriculum!

Healthy Living Program

The goals with the Cavity Free at Three program are that all children will have access to oral health services early in life, and all children will remain cavity free at age three. Encouraging good home health habits is critical in breaking the oral disease chain in families. This includes ecucating families nutritional need of children; minimizing saliva transmission from parent to child; and establishing strong tooth-brushing habits. It also involves working with families to help them establish a dental home and to seek routine, preventive care. Infant oral care kits include: *Gauze to help in the application of fluoride( applied by nurses only) *Infant toothbrush *Caregiver toothbrush *Sample toothpaste *Patient education Cavity Free at Three

SafeCare® Colorado SafeCare® is a structured, evidence‐based, in‐home program that provides direct skill training to parents in the areas of parenting, child safety, and child health. SafeCare® is a voluntary program that typically takes 18‐20 sessions to complete (about 4‐6 months) and each session lasts 1‐1.5 hours. SafeCare® is delivered in the home by trained staff. What type of families would benefit from SafeCare®? Families with 1 or more children between 0‐5 years, who need extra support managing child behavior, keeping their home free of safety hazards, and taking care of their child’s basic health care needs. What will families learn? Health –Parent Support Providers teach parents to use health guides, identify and prevent common child illnesses and injuries, and decide when to treat at home, call the doctor, or visit the emergency room. Home Safety –Parent Support Providers teach parents to identify and eliminate safety and health hazards and childproof the home. Parenting –Parent Support Providers teach parents to provide engaging and stimulating activities, increase positive interactions, and prevent challenging child behavior.

Incorporated into programs: Developmental and Social/Emotional Screenings through Ages & Stages. Promoting Breastfeeding and Healthy Pregnancy. Safety and Tobacco prevention.

BBH Facts: 27 Staff members in 10 counties. 16 staff work varying degrees of part time. 3 Volunteer Visitors & 12 “other” Volunteers. 8 Board of Director members. 72 Advisory Committee members. 2,073 Hours of donated time. Baby Bear Hugs, Empowering Families! Baby Bear Hugs Regional Office 201 South Main Street Yuma, CO 80759 970-848-5274 Ruth.seedorf@babybearhugs.org www.babybearhugs.org

Funding Local Foundations Helen K. & Arthur B. Johnson Foundation Local county government Colorado Health Foundation          Supportive Memberships Buell Foundation                         Fundraising events Community organization donations                   Private donations In-Kind:  Office space for county offices is donated to the program by various organizations and businesses.  We have a formal collaborative relationship with Centennial Mental Health.  We work closely with public health nurses, family centers, social services, and early childhood organizations sharing resources and referrals.  Churches donate meeting space for board meetings, staff meetings, and parenting classes.  Materials for trainings are often donated, and local businesses are very generous donating door prizes and food.  Community members strongly support the program through their gifts and donations. 

Referral Form

Baby Bear Hugs (Regional Home Visitation Program) If would like to become a supportive member of Baby Bear Hugs please contact me after the presentation. Please visit our Website at: www.babybearhugs.org March 30, 2010