Meghan connected families with resources they needed to set their child up for success, referring families to therapy services and counseling services for their children with newly diagnosed developmental delays.  In doing so, she improved the timely response of referrals. This is urgent because 30% of families have concerns about their child’s development and early intervention leads to improved outcomes. In her time at Help Me Grow, she helped parents navigate a system that felt foreign to them so that they knew about their options and felt empowered to advocate for their child.

As a result of the program:

• Families’ wait times for referrals and follow up reduced from over six months to within one month
• A resource guide exists to train future workers how to connect families with resources in the most efficient way possible
• 10 preschool classrooms received education on how to identify and address developmental concerns

“Being a part of ASF taught me about the hard work that goes into being the holistic healthcare provider I have always wanted to be.  I now know what it takes to be a health care provider who cares for the family’s emotional, developmental and physical needs.  Because of ASF and United Way, I am better acquainted with the resources that exist in the Birmingham area that enable patients to live the fullest life.”