# data[].attributes.body
call for members of the planning process

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
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?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Annual Help Me Grow National Forum | Help Me Grow National Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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.

# data[].attributes.headline
HMG Integration Team Meeting Minutes-December

# data[].attributes.subject
HMG Integration Team Meeting Minutes-December

# data[].attributes.headline
Rep Senn, Sen. Wilson Omnibus bill: Fair Start for Kids Act

# data[].attributes.subject
Rep Senn, Sen. Wilson Omnibus bill: Fair Start for Kids Act

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Senn, Chopp, Sullivan, Callan, Pettigrew, Mead, Davis, Appleton, Thai, , Bergquist, , Walen, Goodman, Macri, Riccelli, Hudgins, Leavitt, Lekanoff, Pollet, Slatter, Kilduff, Dolan, Tarleton, Chapman, Stonier, , , Orwall, Gregerson, Ortiz-Self, Entenman, Fitzgibbon, Morgan, Johnson, J., Pellicciotti, Wylie, Peterson, Kirby, Duerr, DeBolt, Sells, Fey, Ryu, Doglio, Ramel, Ramos, Tharinger,

# data[].attributes.body
Is there a specific ask this year as in previous years?
Jackie will check

# data[].attributes.body
Laura noted new availablility of test kids for children in Yakima County; not the stick it up your nose kind; pick up by courrier and can be checked online

# data[].attributes.body
connect with Yakima Health District for new PSA campaign around vaccine information

# data[].attributes.headline
WithinReach has a program called Immunity Community and created a resource page for the vaccine. It could be a starting point for education. https://immunitycommunitywa.org/covid-19-vaccine/

# data[].attributes.subject
WithinReach has a program called Immunity Community and created a resource page for the vaccine. It could be a starting point for education. https://immunitycommunitywa.org/covid-19-vaccine/

# data[].attributes.body
WA211 is operating the DOH COVID-19 Assistance Line. Here is the contact information:
State COVID-19 Assistance Hotline: Dial 1-800-525-0127, then press #

6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and observed state holidays

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
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."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
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.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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.

# data[].attributes.body
-include in CV newsletter
-reach out to Yakima Herald/media
-support Within Reach

# data[].attributes.body
Stacie Marez, ESD 105
Mary Virginia Maxwell, ESD 105
Jackie LItzau, Within Reach
Cindy Taylor, DCYF
Tracie Hoppis, Children's Village
Laura Crooks, Children's Village
Carina Gonzalez, Within Reach
Laura Nay, Snohomish County Public Health
Maddy McCaslin, Snohomish County Public Health
Diane Liebe, YVFWC
Maria Vasquez, Catholic Charities
MIchele Cawley, Kittitas County MSS, KCELC
Tim Sullivan, WA 211, State HMG Committees
Victor Cardenas, Catholic Charities
Sandra Linde, Astria Health

# data[].attributes.body
Zoom Info:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88254720011

Meeting ID: 882 5472 0011

Call-In

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

# data[].attributes.headline
December Meeting Padlet (click the image below to go to last month's padlet)

# data[].attributes.subject
December Meeting Padlet (click the image below to go to last month's padlet)

# data[].attributes.headline
Washington Communities for Children Advocacy Day: February 21st (tentative and virtual)

# data[].attributes.subject
Washington Communities for Children Advocacy Day: February 21st (tentative and virtual)

# data[].attributes.body
Feb 5th

# data[].attributes.body
Group Discussion

# data[].attributes.headline
Plan of Safe Care Yakima Pilot Kick off Meeting

# data[].attributes.subject
Plan of Safe Care Yakima Pilot Kick off Meeting

# data[].attributes.body
In attendance (from HMG Coalition or Investing in Children):
Lindsay Boswell, YVCF
Marilyn VanOostrum, Nurse Family Partnership
Chris Schrantz, Maternal Child Health
Dianne Trevino, YVFWC
Stacy Hackenmueller, YVFWC
Trissa Schiffner, Catholic Charities
Lisa Hefner, Yakima Neighborhood Health

# data[].attributes.headline
Status of DOH database -    ASQ or other Developmental Screenings

# data[].attributes.subject
Status of DOH database -    ASQ or other Developmental Screenings

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lucid visual collaboration suite: Log in

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Go from imagining the future to building it. Log in to access Lucidchart for intelligent diagramming or Lucidspark for virtual whiteboarding. Teams can collaborate, ideate, and build projects in real time.

# data[].attributes.headline
Early Learning Pandemic Response Committee

# data[].attributes.subject
Early Learning Pandemic Response Committee

# data[].attributes.body
Tuesday's at 8:00 (See Stacie for details)

# data[].attributes.headline
WCAAP-First Year Families grant from Perigee

# data[].attributes.subject
WCAAP-First Year Families grant from Perigee

# data[].attributes.body
Presentation: 2/10
Diane Liebe, YVFWC
Lindsay Boswell, YVCF
Carina Gonzalez, Within Reach

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
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.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
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.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Liberatory Design - National Equity Project

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Addressing equity challenges and change efforts in complex systems with liberatory design. Learn more about this process or register for an upcoming course.

# data[].attributes.body
Carina: call last month from Ellensburg, connected families to ASQ and waiting for ESIT referrals