American Academy of Pediatrics California Chapter 3

AAP-CA3 runs several projects and programs in the community. The following is an overview of the projects and programs.HDSAAP-CA3 provides countywide coordination, support, and technical assistance to Healthy Development Services (HDS), a system of care that provides developmental and behavioral services (i.e., screening, classes, individualized treatment, therapy) to children ages 0-5 living in San Diego County. Services are targeted to children with mild to moderate concerns, with the intent of providing help for children who otherwise would not receive the care they need because they do not qualify for services provided by schools or through health insurance. Care coordination is available to families needing assistance navigating services and accessing community resources. Through AAP-CA3's leadership and direction, this family centered, trauma-informed system of care has served over 352,000 children and their families since 2006.RORSDAAP-CA3 runs Reach Out and Read San Diego, an evidence-based program that incorporates books into pediatric care from birth through 5 years and encourages families to read aloud together. We are strengthening relationships by building moments that matter for children and families through the power of reading together. Our goal is for every young child and their family to access early relational health and foundational literacy supports through pediatric primary care.During the visit, the provider educates parents on the importance of reading aloud; parents learn that reading aloud is the single most important action they can take to help their child's healthy cognitive, social and emotional development and start school ready to learn. Each child leaves with a new, high-quality, developmentally appropriate book to take home and keep. Reach Out and Read San Diego serves more than 100,000 children and their families annually.Reach Out and Read builds on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children, beginning at birth. Reach Out and Read has a positive effect on literacy and language development, contributes to a culture of positive childhood experiences that support resilience to stress, addresses social drivers of health, improves well-child visit attendance, enhances developmental surveillance, and helps build safe, stable, and nurturing relationships. These early foundational skills help start children on a path of success.Home VisitingThe First 5 First Steps (First Steps) family support program provides home visiting services for pregnant women and families with children ages 0-4. First Steps promotes positive parenting and enhances child health and development for families who may face hardships and stressors that place them at increased risk for poor health and developmental outcomes. Our services are offered over the long term to prepare children to enter school as active learners and ensure that all children are healthy, loved and nurtured. Since its inception in 2013, the program has enrolled 2,600 families and conducted over 85,000 home visits. Examples of outcomes include approximately 97% of children participating have been linked to a medical home and 87% are up to date with their immunizations.