Betsy Browder, MD, FAAP
Trustee, Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Co-Chair, WCAAP Early Childhood Committee
As pediatric providers, we understand the critical nature of early brain development, specifically in the first three years of life. We are working as a chapter to increase the impact healthcare providers have in our state’s early childhood domain. We are very excited that WCAAP is one of six AAP chapters to receive a $20k grant as part of a partnership between National AAP and Zero to Three Think Babies Campaign. The purpose of this campaign is to highlight the importance of early brain and child development and translate this into policy and action.
WCAAP efforts are focusing on two areas: 1) increasing access to voluntary, evidence-based home visiting for families with infants and toddlers, and 2) increasing access to child and family screenings, supports, and linkage to needed services. WCAAP staff and physician leaders are making critical connections between different agencies and working to ensure physician voices are present for policy discussions. Additionally, we are creating educational opportunities to increase pediatric provider awareness of early childhood resources including referral and linkage programs, specifically Help Me Grow and its Washington affiliate Within Reach.
We would love to have you participate in this important work. There are two upcoming events for all of those interested in hearing more about our early childhood initiatives and joining in strategy discussions:
- Early Childhood Committee (ECC) phone meeting: April 16th at 7:00PM
- Semi-annual in-person ECC meeting: May 18th from 1-4PM at Children’s Village in Yakima. This will be followed by some social time at a local winery to get to know other providers from across the state.
Please email Edna Maddalena (emaddalena@wcaap.org) to RSVP.