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Investing in Children doesn't meet in July.

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On July 11th, Carina, Chris, Lindsay and Marina will present about Help Me Grow to the Yakima Pediatrics Provider and Social Worker Group

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Communication Toolkit and materials update - Jackie

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Communication Toolkit and materials update - Jackie

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Vida Agency: HMG Awareness Survey

Local reach-out

**This summer, we will be working on community outreach to boost Carina's referral numbers.

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Review requests for promotional materials:
ESD: 200 flyers; 200 rack cards
Children's Village: 250 flyers; 250 rack cards
Catholic Charities: 200 flyers; 200 rack cards
DCYF: 200 flyers; 200 rack cards
Yakima Pediatrics: 200 flyers; 200 rack cards
YVFWC: 200 flyers; 200 rack cards
CHCW:

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Education Reporter Janelle Retka is collecting local, state, and national resources for families and child care providers.

We've shared information about Help Me Grow with her, but if there are other resources you'd like us to tell her about, let us know.

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The Growth Gap - Yakima Herald Series, Janelle Retka

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The Growth Gap - Yakima Herald Series, Janelle Retka

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Email Name, Date of Birth, & phone number to:
Yakima: yakvax@yvfwc.org  Toppenish: Toppcovidvaccines@yvfwc.org  Grandview: GrandviewYVFWC@yvfwc.org Prosser: ValleyVistaMedicalGroup@yvfwc.org

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American Rescue Plan: Human Services and Community Supports

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American Rescue Plan: Human Services and Community Supports

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Text for H.R.1319 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

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The current public health crisis and resulting economic crisis have devastated the health and economic wellbeing of millions of Americans. From big cities to small towns, Americans - particularly people of color, immigrants, and low-wage workers - are facing a deep economic crisis. More than 9.5 million workers have lost their jobs in the wake of the pandemic, with 4 million out of work for half a year or longer.

The American Rescue Plan will change the course of the pandemic and deliver immediate and direct relief to families and workers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis through no fault of their own. This law is one of the most progressive pieces of legislation in history, and will build a bridge to an equitable economic recovery.

Economic Impact Payments

Through this third round of Economic Impact Payments, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury Department) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are ensuring that Americans will receive fast and direct relief during the final phase of the COVID-19 crisis. As of yesterday, approximately 90 million Economic Impact Payments had been disbursed, thereby ensuring that more than $242 billion of much-needed relief will be received by millions of Americans and their families within days of enactment of the American Rescue Plan. Unlike the prior rounds of Economic Impact Payments, the American Rescue Plan requires a 2021 "true-up" additional payment, when applicable, based on information (such as a recently filed 2020 tax return) that the IRS receives mid-year during 2021. This additional Economic Impact Payment will ensure that Americans and their families receive greater amounts of financial assistance during 2021, rather than waiting to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on a tax return in 2022.

Those eligible will automatically receive an Economic Impact Payment of up to $1,400 for individuals or

$2,800 for married couples, plus $1,400 for each dependent. Unlike the prior rounds of Economic Impact Payments, families will get a payment for all their dependents claimed on a tax return, not just their qualifying children under 17.

Normally, a taxpayer will qualify for the full amount if they have an adjusted gross income of up to

$75,000 for singles and married persons filing a separate return, up to $112,500 for heads of household, and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns and surviving spouses. Payment amounts are reduced for filers with incomes above those levels.

The Treasury Department and the IRS continue to expand outreach to the millions of homeless, rural poor, and other disadvantaged Americans to ensure that they receive Economic Impact Payments. This includes new and continued relationships with homeless shelters, legal aid clinics, and providing Economic Impact Payment information in more than 35 languages.

Child Tax Credit

The American Rescue Plan's expansion of the Child Tax Credit will substantially reduce child poverty by supplementing the earnings of families receiving the tax credit. Specifically, the Child Tax Credit has been revised in the following ways:

1. The credit amount has been increased. The American Rescue Plan increased the amount of the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under age 6, and $3,000 for other children under age 18.

2. The credit's scope has been expanded. Children 17 years old and younger, as opposed to 16 years old and younger, will now be covered by the Child Tax Credit.

3. Credit amounts will be made through advance payments during 2021. Individuals eligible for a 2021 Child Tax Credit will receive advance payments of the individual's credit, which the IRS and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service will make through periodic payments from July 1, to December 31, 2021. This change will allow struggling families to receive financial assistance now, rather than waiting until the 2022 tax filing season to receive the Child Tax Credit benefit.

4. The credit is now fully refundable. By making the Child Tax Credit fully refundable, low- income households will be entitled to receive the full credit benefit, as significantly expanded and increased by the American Rescue Plan.

5. The credit is now extended to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Territories. For the first time, low- income families residing in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Territories will receive this vital financial assistance to better support their children's development and health and educational attainment.

To facilitate the disbursement of Child Tax Credit advance payments during 2021, the American Rescue Plan requires the IRS to establish an online portal for taxpayers to update relevant data for mid-year payment adjustments (for example, the birth of a child during 2021). In addition to this online tool, the Treasury Department and the IRS will carry out a sweeping public awareness campaign parallel to its Economic Impact Payment campaign to reach all Americans who may be eligible for this financial assistance.

State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund

State, local and tribal governments across America have been under an unprecedented strain in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. While the need for services has increased -including setting up emergency medical facilities, standing up vaccination sites, and supporting struggling small businesses-state and local revenues have plummeted as a result of the economic fallout from the crisis. At the height of the fallout, public sector employment fell by around 1.4 million jobs, including layoffs of 1 million educators, compared to around 750,000 job losses during the Great Recession. As a result, communities have faced

untenable choices, between laying off educators, firefighters and other frontline workers or failing to provide services that communities rely on.

The American Rescue Plan provides $350 billion dollars in emergency funding for state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to remedy this mismatch between rising costs and falling revenues. This includes:

$195 billion for states, (a minimum of $500 million for each State);

$130 billion for local governments (a minimum of $1.25 billion per state is provided by the statute inclusive of the amounts allocated to local governments within the state);

$20 billion for tribal governments; and

$4.5 billion for territories

The Rescue Plan will provide needed relief to state, local, and Tribal governments to enable them to continue to support the public health response and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable economic recovery. In addition to helping these governments address the revenue losses they have experienced as a result of the crisis, it will help them cover the costs incurred due responding to the public health emergency and provide support for a recovery - including through assistance to households, small businesses and nonprofits, aid to impacted industries, and support for essential workers. It will also provide resources for state, local, and Tribal governments to invest in infrastructure, including water, sewer, and broadband services.

Capital Projects Fund

The COVID-19 crisis starkly illuminated key shortcomings - and inequalities - in U.S. infrastructure. While some communities were able to adapt to the pandemic with remote or socially-distanced options for work, education, and health care, others lacked the infrastructure needed to do so, compounding the disruptions of the pandemic and exacerbating existing inequalities, with long-term consequences for American families. One particularly salient infrastructure challenge has been the digital divide and the absence of foundational conditions that enable network connectivity and access. As more and more areas of work and education move online, this divide risks leaving many American families behind.

Recognizing these challenges, the American Rescue Plan provides $10 billion for states, territories, and Tribes to cover the costs of capital projects like broadband infrastructure.

The Capital Projects Fund takes critical steps to addressing these challenges laid bare by the pandemic, especially in rural America and low- and moderate-income communities, helping to ensure that all communities have access to the high-quality, modern infrastructure needed to thrive, including internet access.

Homeowner Assistance Fund

As the economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis took form, millions of Americans were faced with the pressures of having to decide between making mortgage payments and other essential obligations. This was especially true for the low-income communities and communities of color who bore the brunt of this crisis. Across the country, one in 10 homeowners with a mortgage are behind on payments. The law takes immediate steps to help Americans stay in their homes and keep a roof over their heads.

The American Rescue Plan provides nearly $10 billion for states, territories, and Tribes to provide relief for our country's most vulnerable homeowners. This includes:

A minimum of $50 million for each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico;

$30 million for the territories of Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;

An explicit mandate to prioritize socially disadvantaged households;

The law prioritizes those homeowners that have experienced the greatest hardships, leveraging local and national income indicators to maximize intended impact. Applicable funding uses include delinquent mortgage payments, allowing Americans across the country to take a step in the right direction toward household stabilization. These necessary actions will minimize foreclosures in the coming months, alleviate emergency shelter capacity, and mitigate potential COVID-19 infections.

Emergency Rental Assistance

An underlying consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic is that household stability is not just a financial security issue, but also a health concern. As the country entered the throes of the crisis, many cities and states began creating or expanding rental assistance programs to support at-risk households. The December appropriations bill provided $25 billion of federal relief to be administered by the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program for disbursement to existing state and local government programs. The American Rescue Plan nearly doubles the initial funding to expand the reach and impact of the existing ERA program, taking additional steps to mitigate the financial harm caused by the pandemic and keeping Americans safe as the country addresses the virus.

The American Rescue Plan provides $21.6 billion for states, territories, and local governments to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 crisis. This includes:

A minimum of $152 million for each state and the District of Columbia;

$305 million for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa;

$2.5 billion for payments to "high-need grantees," locations with an urgent need for assistance when factoring conditions such as change in employment, concentration of very low-income renters, and rental market costs

As a result of the American Rescue Plan, states and localities across the country will be better armed to provide relief and assistance to those vulnerable households. The new funding will leverage existing program structures, allowing for money to be disbursed quickly and efficiently to on the ground emergency programs, and ensuring this country's hardest-hit families to receive their equitable share of relief.

State Small Business Credit Initiative

It is no secret that the pandemic has disproportionately impacted small businesses across the country, particularly those owned and operated by women and minorities. Every community has had to face the unfortunate reality of local storefronts that are closing or have closed, resulting in friends and family members being furloughed or laid off. Nationally, small business revenue is down 32 percent, and at least 400,000 firms have permanently closed. After a year of the public health crisis, many businesses are hanging on by a thread. Within this law are plans to provide critical assistance to small businesses across the country, facilitating the urgent deployment of capital and support to help these organizations not just persevere, but recover on solid footing.

The American Rescue Plan provides $10 billion to state and Tribal governments to fund small business credit expansion initiatives. This program will build off the inaugural model developed in 2011 during the Obama-Biden Administration, in which nearly $1.5 billion in capital supported over $8 billion in new lending and investing activity across 142 different programs in its first 5 years. The new iteration will expand in scale and include:

$1.5 billion for states to support businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people;

$1 billion for an incentive program to boost funding tranches for states that show robust support for such businesses; and

$500 million to support very small businesses with fewer than 10 employees;

This law will inject capital into state small business support and capital access programs, provide collateral support, facilitate loan participation, and enable credit guarantee programs. It will boost state venture capital programs and provide funding for technical support and assistance. This Administration recognizes that small businesses-enterprises that are responsible for two-thirds of net new jobs in this country-are the backbone of the American economy, and a bellwether of economic progress.

Employee Retention Credit and Paid Leave Credit Programs

In addition to the SSBCI, the American Rescue Plan extends a number of critical tax benefits to small businesses that are intended to help businesses through to the recovery while keeping up their payrolls and still taking steps to protect health outcomes for employees.

The American Rescue Plan extends the availability of the Employee Retention Credit for small businesses through December 2021 and allows businesses to offset their current payroll tax liabilities by up to

$7,000 per employee per quarter. This credit of up to $28,000 per employee for 2021 is available to small businesses who have seen their revenues decline, or even been temporarily shuttered, due to COVID.

The American Rescue Plan also extends through September 2021 the availability of Paid Leave Credits for small and midsize businesses that offer paid leave to employees who may take leave due to illness, quarantine, or caregiving. Businesses can take dollar-for-dollar tax credits equal to wages of up to

$5,000 if they offer paid leave to employees who are sick or quarantining. Paid Leave Credits are a powerful incentive to encourage the offer of paid sick and family leave, which will help keep the virus under control by ensuring sick employees can stay home.

Unemployment Compensation

Across the nation, millions of Americans lost their jobs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and, as a result, claimed unemployment benefits. The American Rescue Plan waives federal income taxes on the first $10,200 of unemployment benefits received in 2020 by middle- and lower-income taxpayers. The tax relief extends to both workers who received benefits through federal unemployment programs as well as those who received traditional benefits through their state unemployment insurance fund. This law will provide tax relief for Americans who lost their jobs and utilized unemployment benefits last year - allowing millions of workers to focus their benefits on covering essentials during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FACT SHEET: The American Rescue Plan Will Deliver Immediate Economic Relief to Families (3/18/21)

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FACT SHEET: The American Rescue Plan Will Deliver Immediate Economic Relief to Families

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The current public health crisis and resulting economic crisis have devastated the health and economic wellbeing of millions of Americans. From big cities to small towns, Americans - particularly people of color, immigrants, and low-wage workers - are facing a deep economic crisis.

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Why Liberatory Design?
We are all living in challenging times that our past experience and training has not sufficiently prepared us for. Too often, well intentioned equity efforts do not succeed-and even produce unintended consequences. This can lead to frustration, hopelessness and cynicism.
It's important to consider why so many equity efforts stall or fail to achieve intended outcomes:

They do not employ a deep enough equity lens-for example, a diversity and inclusion focus as opposed to interrogating deeper causes produced by systemic oppression.

They take the form of traditional linear, hierarchical plans that focus on strategies, goals, timelines, metrics and accountability. These efforts don't recognize the messiness and complexity of the challenge, so they often are ineffective and, sometimes, even backfire.

They are created in the context of dominant white culture, in traditional structures (e.g. committees, task forces), or in teams that don't have an effective approach to the work. Common problems include:

group members unable to engage in authentic critical dialogue;

lack of trust, especially across role/power and identity difference, that undermines team efficacy;

the process doesn't bring forward sufficiently creative thinking;

urgency leads to hasty, misguided decisions;

creative and potentially powerful solutions are not accepted by leadership.

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Liberatory Design - National Equity Project

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Addressing equity challenges and change efforts in complex systems with liberatory design. Learn more about this process or register for an upcoming course.

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Please follow this link to sign in to today's meeting:

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Please follow this link to sign in to today's meeting:

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American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Knowledge Bank

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American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Knowledge Bank

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One Vax, Two Lives Communication Toolkit

This communication toolkit (accessible via Google Drive) is designed to provide you with communication materials, including social media content, and a comprehensive list of medically vetted answers to FAQs about the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. Currently, we have content in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Bulgarian. We are adding more languages on an ongoing basis.
Thank you to our partners at One Vax, Two Lives for creating this toolkit! Visit their website to learn more.
Vax Into Summer Promotional Materials
Social Media Toolkit
Help us promote our Vax into Summer campaign with your networks! This social media toolkit includes shareable images and messaging that you can use on your own social media and communications channels:
"Dear Parent" Letters
These letters are for clinics and health care providers to send out to the parents or caregivers of their pediatric patients. These letters come in several languages and can be downloaded below as editable Word Documents:
COVID-19 Vaccines for Adolescents: What it means for providers
This flyer provides health care providers with information and resources that they can use to ensure adolescents ages 12 and up get immunized against COVID-19 and receive all other vaccinations they are eligible for:

Vax To School Promotional Materials

Provider Toolkit for Childhood Immunizations: This toolkit is for general health care providers. The toolkit includes links to resources, a parent letter for children 4 to 6 year olds and social media posts for childhood and COVID-19 vaccines.

Childhood Vaccination Toolkit for Schools: This toolkit is for school and school nurses. The toolkit includes links to childhood vaccination resources, sample letters for parents/guardians and social media posts for childhood and COVID-19 vaccines.
Social Media Toolkit
Help us promote our Vax to School campaign with your networks! This social media toolkit includes shareable images and messaging that you can use on your own social media and communications channels:
"Dear Parent" Letters
These letters are for clinics and health care providers to send out to the parents or caregivers of their pediatric patients. These letters come in several languages and can be downloaded below as editable Word Documents:
"Dear Provider" Letter
This letter is for clinics and health care providers. See below to download an original version or editable Word Document version of this letter:
"Dear Administrators/School Nurse " Letters
This letter is for school nurses, administrators and staff. See below to download an editable Word Document version of this letter:

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Vaccinated! Promotional Materials
Social Media Toolkit
Help us promote our Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Vaccinated! campaign with your networks! This social media toolkit includes shareable images and messaging that you can use on your own social media and communications channels:

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This communication toolkit (accessible via Google Drive) is designed to provide you with communication materials, including social media content, and a comprehensive list of medically vetted answers to FAQs about the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. Currently, we have content in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Bulgarian.

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Help Me Grow Washington promotes early childhood development and ensures all children reach their full potential.

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Fair Starts for Kids (side by side comparison, House and Senate versions)

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Fair Starts for Kids (side by side comparison, House and Senate versions)

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In-progress Help Me Grow and Investing in Children Coalition Knowledge Bank

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In-progress Help Me Grow and Investing in Children Coalition Knowledge Bank

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Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

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Since 2014, the Summit on Improvement in Education has developed a vibrant learning community by engaging diverse groups of educational professionals.

At a convening of experts in continuous improvement methodology hosted by Carnegie's Advancing Teaching-Improving Learning identified four essential organizational conditions for continuous improvement to take root and thrive.

This essay proposes science of improvement research and the idea of a networked improvement community as an alternative R&D method to create the purposeful collective action needed to solve complex educational problems currently faced.

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The Six Core Principles of Improvement | Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

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Since 2014, the Summit on Improvement in Education has developed a vibrant learning community by engaging diverse groups of educational professionals. At a convening of experts in continuous improvement methodology hosted by Carnegie's Advancing Teaching-Improving Learning identified four essential organizational conditions for continuous improvement to take root and thrive.

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Why Early Learning is Important:

Research has shown that children who are able to participate in early learning programs perform better throughout their years of schooling. Early learning programs focus on six areas of kindergarten readiness:

Social-Emotional - Children do better in school when they can regulate their emotions, establish positive relationships with others, and constructively participate in group settings.

Physical - The early years are important for the development of fundamental gross-motor and fine-motor skills needed to be active learners.

Language - Children need to understand increasingly complex language and use language to express their thoughts, ideas, needs, and feelings.

Cognitive - Children are more successful in school when they have positive approaches to learning, and are able to attend, engage, and persist to solve problems.

Literacy - A child's progress in reading and writing is one of the best predictors of whether the child will function competently in school and in life.

Math - Research shows that math is the number one predictor of future success in reading and math.*

*Duncan, Greg. University of California, 2007. Early Childhood Longitudinal studies. "The strongest predictors of later achievement are school-entry math, reading, and attention skills. Early math skills have the greatest predictive power."

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Research has shown that children who are able to participate in early learning programs perform better throughout their years of schooling. Early learning programs focus on six areas of kindergarten readiness: Social-Emotional - Children do better in school when they can regulate their emotions, establish positive relationships with others, and constructively participate in group settings.

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WCFC Informational One-Pager

Help us tell our story as Washington Communities for Children (WCFC)! Our one-pager gives an overview of who we are, how we work, and a quick look at our six Learning Networks. Feel free to share with your networks as we work together to promote the wellbeing of children, families, and communities!

Early Learning Coordination Plan

The final version of the Early Learning Coordination Plan (ELCP) is here! This plan consists of a set of goals and strategies centered in dismantling racism and inequities for BIPOC communities and a range of other communities often marginalized in the early childhood system. The hope is that this plan will guide us all towards what matters most to the children, families, and providers in our state. Download the ELCP using the button below, and keep an eye out for more communication materials, including a website, coming soon!

state of the children: early learning & care

Washington STEM and Washington Communities for Children (WCFC) have developed a series of reports entitled State of the Children: Early Learning & Care. The data and stories highlight the current state of Washington's early learning systems. Here is some of what the reports include: the economic impacts of childcare on families; the affordability, access, and quality of childcare; the state of the early learning workforce; the impacts of COVID-19 on our early learning systems; and more!

regional outreach reports

As part of the Washington State Early Learning Plan Needs Assessment, WCFC conducted interviews with early childhood providers across the ten early learning regions, which included families, child care providers, social service organizations, early intervention providers, home visitors, school districts, play and learn groups, and others. These reports outline the Needs Assessment results from the WCFC interviews and highlight emergent themes. Find the completed reports below!

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Reports & Publications - Washington Communities For Children

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Help us tell our story as Washington Communities for Children (WCFC)! Our one-pager gives an overview of who we are, how we work, and a quick look at our six Learning Networks. Feel free to share with your networks as we work together to promote the wellbeing of children, families, and communities!

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Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88254720011

Meeting ID: 882 5472 0011

Dial by your location:
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

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Washington Communities for Children (WCFC) is a network of coalitions dedicated to improving the wellbeing of children, families, and communities. Ten WCFC Regions across the state that have trusted relationships with over six-hundred organizations and individuals. Trusted partners include early learning providers, social service agencies, early intervention services, child welfare organizations, libraries, juvenile courts, school districts, public health agencies, higher education, families, and many others.

MISSION

Connecting local and statewide efforts to improve the wellbeing of children, families, and communities.

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Washington Communities for Children (WCFC) is a network of coalitions dedicated to improving the wellbeing of children, families, and communities. Ten WCFC Regions across the state that have trusted relationships with over six-hundred organizations and individuals.

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Outreach Report: Investing in Children Coalition

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Outreach Report: Investing in Children Coalition

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Link to the Family Resource Navigator posting: https://smrtr.io/5k4gr

Please share with anyone who might be interested.

Michele and Carina Drive-thru event update:

Michele was able to share some promotional materials with WIC

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No new updates

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May Meeting Padlet (click the image below to go to last month's padlet)

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May Meeting Padlet (click the image below to go to last month's padlet)

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call for members of the planning process

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The HMG National Forum is an exciting opportunity for HMG affiliates and their partners to network, learn from one another, and develop new and supportive connections across the HMG community. In its 14 th year, HMG National embraced thirteen years of experience hosting the Forum both in-person and virtually, and offered the best of all worlds:

1. In-Person Summit | Fort Worth, Texas
2. Virtual Event | Virtual Attendee Hub

In-Person Summit | October 11-13 | Fort Worth, TX

Co-hosted by the HMG National Center and HMG North Texas, the 2023 In-Person Summit featured learning intensives, offered by leading organizations around the country and HMG National Center staff. Learning intensives provided training and skill-building intended to take our HMG system-building work to the next level.

Virtual Event | October 17 | Virtual Attendee Hub

The Virtual Event offered affiliate-led breakout sessions we know and love, as well as role-based networking, HMG National Center update, keynote address, speed networking, and more. The Virtual Event shared affiliate-led strategies, ideas, tips, tricks, and cautionary tales, with breakout sessions focused on showcasing how HMG systems around the country are implementing the Model. All content from the Virtual Event is available to registrants on the virtual platform for 90 days following the event.

Thank you to the members of the
2023 Forum Planning Committee:

Carmen Wenger, HMG Alaska
Kelly Annelli, Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Liz Randall, HMG Florida
Jessica Wood, HMG Maine
Mellody Buzalski, HMG Cass County, Michigan
Maureen Schmidt, HMG Ottawa, Michigan
Summer Merrick, HMG Onondaga, NY
Abigail Sharp, HMG North Texas, TX
Miranda Holmes, HMG North Texas, TX
Tiffini Smith, HMG North Texas, TX
Jodi West, HMG Utah
Keri Nguyen, HMG Washington
Jackie Litzau, HMG Washington
Susan Steinhofer, HMG Wisconsin

2023 Keynote Speakers

In-Person Summit Keynote

Lori Fresina is the Vice President and Executive Director of Voices for Healthy Kids, American Heart Association. Through her leadership, direction and dedication, Lori has made a significant contribution to making communities healthier and more equitable through effective public policy.

As co-creator of the Power Prism® advocacy framework, Lori's expertise includes campaign planning, equitable coalition practices, community mobilization, training, grassroots development, and media advocacy.

Before joining the American Heart Association in March 2019, Lori had long stints in public interest advocacy as senior vice president and New England office director for M+R Strategic Services, Northeast Regional Advocacy Director for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and a variety of roles with American Cancer Society.

Lori received a bachelor's degree in communications from Emerson College and a master's degree in public policy and citizen participation from Tufts University.

Voices for Healthy Kids provides the staffing and support structure for The National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers.

Virtual Event Keynote

Help Me Grow Virtual Forum 2022

The 13th Annual HMG National Virtual Forum consisted of four half-days of presentations, featuring 94 speakers and 64 sessions. Co-hosted by Help Me Grow Florida, the agenda featured HMG affiliate-led content sessions, national speakers, poster presentations, and networking opportunities.

Help Me Grow Virtual Forum 2021

The 12 th Annual HMG National Virtual Forum consisted of four half-days of presentations, featuring 107 speakers and 72 sessions. Co-hosted by Help Me Grow Indiana, the agenda featured HMG affiliate-led content sessions, national speakers, poster presentations, exhibitor booths and networking opportunities. Sessions this year included content focusing on advancing equity, Infant mental health principles, strategies for universal developmental screening, and the importance of centering parents and families in our collective work. In addition, this year's Forum featured three Keynote and Plenary Addresses: Dr. Dina Lieser from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Dr. Wendy Ellis of the Center for Community Resilience, and Dr. David Williams from the Harvard School of Public Health.

As a safe alternative to coming together in person, the HMG National Center hosted a Virtual HMG Forum on September 20-23, 2021.

Help Me Grow Virtual Forum 2020

The 11 th Annual HMG National Virtual Forum consisted of three half-days of presentations, featuring approximately 12 hours of content. Sessions this year included content focusing on Child Health Provider engagement, Infant mental health principles, Strategies for connecting with and supporting indigenous and tribal communities, and the importance of centering parents and families in our collective work. In addition, we were delighted to welcome again, our 2019 HMG National Forum Keynote, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, for an engaging, moderated session to provide her expertise in the context of our current public health crisis, COVID-19, and our national movement for a more equitable society, in the context of Help Me Grow.

As a safe alternative to coming together in person, the HMG National Center hosted a Virtual HMG Forum on August 10-12, 2020 via Zoom Webinar. Access the recordings, slides, and materials from all sessions below.

Materials and recordings of the 2020 Virtual Forum are available to affiliates of the HMG National Network here.

Help Me Grow Forum | Archives

Questions about the HMG National Forum?

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Annual Help Me Grow National Forum | Help Me Grow National Center

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Help Me Grow National Forum Week 2023 Co-Hosted with HMG North Texas The HMG National Forum is an exciting opportunity for HMG affiliates and their partners to network, learn from one another, and develop new and supportive connections across the HMG community.

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Across the nation, Help Me Grow offers families seamless access to community services and supports so they can easily connect to the resources they need, when they need them.

The Help Me Grow Washington network represents a growing, powerful coalition of communities and individuals invested in building an organized system of community resources to help children grow up healthy.

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The Help Me Grow Washington network represents a growing, powerful coalition of communities and individuals invested in building an organized system of community resources to help children grow up healthy.

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Update from Chris Gray:

Considering social media outreach efforts to bring more awareness about Carina's role

Targeted outreach in Central Washington