Community Health and Child Advocacy Help Me Grow National Center Selected for Prestigious Agreement with CDC

Hartford, CT - August 15, 2024 - Help Me Grow (HMG) National Center has been selected as one of 40 partner organizations in a 5-year cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Supported by a $1 million investment, this partnership aims to enhance HMG's capacity to foster comprehensive early childhood (EC) systems by integrating efforts to promote healthy child development and early identification and provide capacity building assistance for multi-sector early childhood leaders, inclusive of HMG Connecticut and its partners.

This collaboration positions HMG National Center as a key organization in advancing EC system performance and establishing new standards. It aligns perfectly with the CDC's mission to address public health challenges such as fragmented programs and health inequities originating in early childhood. It also allows Help Me Grow to bid on CDC projects that will specifically fund HMG National Center to reach and support early childhood system leaders, including the National Affiliate Network.

Key objectives include:

• Strengthening the capacity of EC system leaders to expand evidence-based practices.
• Building workforce capacity through new resources, tools, and methodologies.
• Collecting and analyzing multi-sector data to inform decision-making.
• Enhancing public health infrastructure through technical assistance, training, and resources.

By implementing impactful processes, policies, and practices, HMG will improve EC systems' ability to serve families, address equity priorities, and enhance overall health and well-being outcomes for children in Connecticut and nationwide.

For more information, please contact: Kimberly Martini-Carvell, MA, Executive Director, Help Me Grow National Center

Connecticut Children's
282 Washington Street Hartford, CT 06106
860-256-5088
kmartini[at] connecticutchildrens.org

About Connecticut Children's
Connecticut Children's is the only health system in Connecticut 100% dedicated to kids. That means high-quality care across more than 30 pediatric specialties in 40+ locations throughout Connecticut, Eastern New York and Western Massachusetts. One team on a mission to improve access to healthcare from before birth and into adulthood. One team pushing the limits with breakthrough research and community partnerships so we can help you focus on what matters most: your family's wellness journey. When you choose Connecticut Children's, you can expect care Beyond Imagination.