Texas Home Visiting Quarterly Newsletter Fall 2016

Leadership Corner

Courtney Seals, PEI Division Administrator for Community and Systems Support

"We All Have a Part"

Assuring success and well-being for Texas children undoubtedly requires a collective effort – an effort that builds healthy families and neighborhoods, policies and systems.  While parents and caregivers are the ultimate provider for their children, we cannot place the entire burden upon their shoulders alone.  I often remember the wisdom of the African Proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” and consider how each of us play a part in lives of our state’s children.  In both our professional and personal spheres, the choices we make impact the world that our kids will experience.  For those with a heart for children, there are many ways to contribute.  Whether we are working at a program providing high-quality services for families, engaged at the state-level to support family-friendly policies in our communities, or volunteering with our local schools or churches, our efforts matter.   We need the efforts of front-line social workers,  researchers,  policy makers,  administrators,  teachers,  lawyers,  nurses,  employers, and on and on to further our work.  The call to action omits no one as we commit ourselves to creating a culture that prioritizes the needs and best interests of the youngest Texans.

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Celebrating Partners in Prevention

"PIP Conference Celebrates Awardees"

More than 700 guests attended the largest-ever Partners in Prevention Conference on September 29 and 30 in Austin, TX. The event was a huge success thanks to engaged participants, compelling speakers, and informative exhibitors.  The 2016 theme — Investing with Purpose — emphasized the importance of collective effort and proactive thinking to achieve well-being for children, families and communities.  Investments of time, talent and financial resources are necessary to prevent adverse experiences and promote positive outcomes for children of all ages. The conference provided the opportunity to come together and enhance strategies for reaching these goals including continued growth of outstanding programs as well as consensus building around needed systems change. Continue reading >>

March of Dimes Supports Smoking Cessation among Pregnant Women

The March of Dimes, a national voluntary health agency, in Lubbock has awarded a grant of $10,000.00 benefitting ten Texas Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program sites to support smoking cessation. The initiative requires collaboration between March of Dimes, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Texas Home Visiting to implement Smoking Cessation and Reduction in Pregnancy Treatment (SCRIPT), an evidence-based program effective in helping pregnant women quit smoking. PEI’s Sophia Strother, community impact team lead, coordinated efforts between March of Dimes, DSHS and NFP programs to attain SCRIPT program materials, carbon monoxide monitor supplies and training to nurse home visitors. This partnership intends to fill an unmet health need, to effectively change health systems to support smoking cessation among pregnant women. Continue reading >>

PEI Releases Five-Year Strategic Plan

Legislation passed in 2015 requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to develop a comprehensive, five-year strategic plan for its Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) division.
The plan, shaped by input from staff and hundreds of community stakeholders, reflects DFPS's expanded interest in prevention. It shifts from the primarily investigation-based efforts, aimed at protecting children from abuse, to a public health approach to strengthening families. As evident in this year's PIP Conference, the plan invests with purposeful thought to increase access for Texas children and families to receive high-quality services and supports.

Texas Home Visiting and other PEI providers are encouraged to review the plan and consider the areas that coincide with their work. The goals in the plan call upon partners, community organizations, and parents to achieve an array of positive outcomes for children and families. 

Together, PEI, and our community partners will break barriers that hinder the success of children. The strategic plan outlines goals, strategies, and measures that will guide our work for the future. We thank all who contributed to the development of the plan and community providers who continue to put a real face to the collective effort.

News You Can Use

Save the Date for Community IMPACT Forum

On Wednesday, February 15th - Friday February 17, 2017  the Community IMPACT Forum will be hosted by Texas Home Visiting Program. Traditionally, the Community IMPACT Meeting has been successful to enhance the work of early childhood coalitions. More information and registration details will be announced soon.

Protecting Texas Children

NFP provider, WiNGS, in Dallas, invites you to a seminar led by Sgt. Bill Davis on Tuesday, November 15. This community-wide training is aimed at educating individuals on child abuse prevention, detection, and reporting. To register, visit protectkidstexas.eventbrite.com. Space is limited to the first 80 registrants.

Interested in Becoming a Bilingual Provider for the HIP Program?

PEI is seeking bilingual providers for the Helping through Intervention and Prevention (HIP) Program. Contractors will provide in-home parenting education using an evidence-based model or promising practice program. In addition to providing parenting education, contractors will provide home visiting and support services to current and former foster youth (including teen fathers) and high risk families with newborns up to 24 months old.

In order to start the process of becoming a HIP Provider, you MUST review Packages 1, 2 and 3 before starting your application. Questions? Contact the PEI HIP Team at HIP@dfps.state.tx.us.

 

Prevention and Early Intervention Division of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.


 

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