1. Building Economic Security Today (BEST):
A Life Course Perspective-based Pilot Project Addressing the Health-Wealth Connection
Padmini Parthasarathy, MPH
Family, Maternal and Child Health Programs
Contra Costa Health Services
Health-Wealth Connection Symposium
June 23, 2010

2. Acknowledgements Life Course Planning Team:
Cheri Pies, Director, FMCH Programs
Chuck McKetney, Epidemiologist
Debbie Casanova, Evaluator
Dawn Dailey, Program Manager

3. The Life Course Initiative
A 15-year initiative
Launched in 2005
The Life Course Perspective (Lu and Halfon)
A 12-Point Plan to Close the Black-White Gap in Birth Outcomes (Lu, Kotelchuck, et al.)

4. Life Course Initiative Goals
Reduce health disparities and health inequities
Optimize reproductive potential
Create a paradigm shift in MCH work

5. Life Course Initiative Goals
To change the health of a generation

6. Focusing on Financial Stability
Unnatural Causes
Wealth = Health/Social Gradient of Health
12 Point Plan
Reduce Poverty
Support Working Mothers and Families
Input from staff and community residents

8. Building Economic Security Today (BEST)
Reduce disparities and inequities in health outcomes by improving financial security and stability

9. Project Activities Staff trainings Partnerships
Developing interventions
Evaluation

10. Developing Interventions
Meetings with program managers and staff
CFR consultation
WIC client and staff focus groups (report on website)
Review of financial education curricula
Asset Development Resource Guide

11. Home Visiting Intervention
One-on-one:
Assessment
Information
Referrals
Follow-up

12. WIC Intervention Groups: Introductory financial education classes
Optional series of in-depth classes
Referrals

13. BEST Partners Community Financial Resources
Contra Costa Family Economic Security Partnership (FESP)
Health-Wealth Connection Collaborative (HWCC)
Spark Point Center Collaboratives

14. Intermediate Outcomes
Increased knowledge and skills of staff and clients
New practices for staff
Increased confidence and readiness of clients to adopt at least one asset development strategy
System changes

15. Improved health outcomes and financial status for future generations
Long-Term Outcomes
Family income for daily living maximized
Preservation of and increase in financial assets
Increased financial security and stability, and improved financial status
Increased access to care, improved housing, better neighborhoods, increased food security, decreased violence, etc.
Improved health outcomes and financial status
for future generations

16. Lessons Learned Start with staff where they are
Acknowledge what staff are already doing and build on this
Recognize that change takes time
Have a long view
Seize opportunities to collaborate with new partners
Develop evaluation plan while developing program interventions

17. For More Information Padmini Parthasarathy, MPH
Life Course Initiative Coordinator
Family, Maternal and Child Health Programs