Texas Home Visitng Tidbits

A Texas Home Visiting Newsletter

Vol. 3 Issue 5

2017 Parenting Tips Calendar Now Available

The 2017 Parenting Tips Calendar is now available for order!

This free calendar is filled with helpful tips and is endorsed by The Texas Pediatric Society, the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. This year's theme is "Strong Communities, Strong Families." You may view the 2017 calendar by scrolling down to the featured section on the HelpandHope.org website.

Who is the calendar for?
The calendar is written for parents and caregivers of children of all ages. It is available in English and Spanish. The calendar is a great resource to distribute to families participating in early childhood programs.

Who can order calendars?
Agencies and businesses that provide services to Texas families can order calendars.
Examples include: Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) contractors; hospitals; doctors' offices and medical clinics; Early Childhood Intervention; licensed child care centers and Head Start; school districts; Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) offices; libraries; family service agencies and staff of government agencies.

How do I place my order?
Visit http://www.printmailpro.com/dfps/ to place your order.

How much do the calendars cost?
The calendars are free!

How many can I order?
Calendars can be ordered in multiples of 100 with a maximum order of 500. If you'd like to order more than 500 calendars, you may place multiple orders through the website. Large orders will be reviewed and approved by the Department of Family and Protective Services.

When will I receive my calendars?
Calendars will be shipped starting the week of Nov. 15 and will be processed in the order received.
For questions, contact prevcal@dfps.state.tx.us. Quantities are limited so place your order now!

Nurse-Family Partnership Goes "Purple for Preemies"

Members of PEI’s early childhood division and Nurse-Family Partnership members wear purple in Dallas

Did you know that premature birth is the No. 1 cause of death for babies?

Earlier this month, members of PEI’s early childhood division, nurse supervisors and nurse home visitors traveled to Dallas to tackle important issues related to infant health, especially babies born premature.

We want to continue to build awareness and support for this important cause during November’s Prematurity Awareness Month. To learn how you can help, visit the March of Dimes website at www.marchofdimes.org.

Always Give Babies Room to Breathe!

A safe sleep environment for babies can reduce the risk of all sleep-related infant deaths, according to a report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) last month.
In "SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Evidence Base for 2016 Updated Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment," AAP recommends supine positioning (lying horizontally with the face and torso facing up), use of a firm sleep surface, room sharing without bed sharing and avoidance of soft bedding and overheating.

Additional recommendations for SIDS risk reduction include avoidance of exposure to smoke, alcohol, and illicit drugs; breastfeeding; routine immunization; and use of a pacifier.

PEI demonstrates its support and commitment for the recommendations and recognizes the importance of raising awareness to promote safe infant sleep through its Room to Breathe program. Early childhood providers can watch videos and download information to share with parents and caregivers.