Building Early Connections
Project Description:
By developing specialized promotion, screening and treatment services, Building Early Connections seeks to shift medical and educational provider perspectives on watchful waiting monitoring a childs condition but not providing treatment unless symptoms change in favor of evidence-based proactive solutions designed to alter childrens developmental trajectories and strengthen their families. The program will focus on children 8 years old and younger, and their families, in West Side Chicago neighborhoods served by Rush University Medical Center. The program started on Aug. 31.
Rush will train 170 primary care providers and 192 mental health providers who work on the West Side, expanding the pool of professionals who are using state-of-the-art screening and intervention practices. These enhanced capabilities will empower caregivers, enhance the caregiver-child relationship, and alter childrens developmental trajectories in a positive direction.
Building Early Connections outcomes will be assessed by the number of children served, number of Rush providers trained and number of community organizations partnered with for promotion and consultation.
Core Function(s):
Performing Direct and/or Demonstration Services, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Urban
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
