1st Five Healthy Mental Development Initiative: Iowa’s Public-Private Partnership Model for Advancing Young Children’s Healthy Development, 2010

(2010) 1st Five Healthy Mental Development Initiative: Iowa’s Public-Private Partnership Model for Advancing Young Children’s Healthy Development, 2010. Public Health, Department of (Health and Human Services, Department of)

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Abstract

The 1st Five st Five Healthy Mental Development Initiative builds partnerships between physician practices and public service providers to enhance high-quality well-child care. 1st Five st Five promotes the use of validated developmental tools that support healthy mental development for all young children. Providers identify children earlier who are at risk for developmental and behavioral issues that would otherwise play out later. The tools include questions on social/emotional development and family risk factors, such as depression and stress. In fact, the number one reason for referral by medical providers to 1st Five is for family stress. Brain research indicates that chronic stress is detrimental to children’s developing brains. 1st Five helps alleviate stress related concerns by connecting children and families to a variety of community-based resources, resulting in children better prepared for school and for life.