Research shows investing early creates not only the best health outcomes, but also the greatest return on investment. We are working to ensure that all Kansas children have the healthy starts, safe and stable families, and early development and learning experiences necessary to thrive.
Our Goal: Ensure thriving children through healthy starts, safe and stable families, and early development and learning
Investing in Healthier Futures
Acting early in a child’s life to support healthy development helps pave the way to school success and a lifetime of good health. We support universal screening for early identification of social/emotional risks and challenges, as well as evidence-based early interventions like Attachment Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) that foster healthy brain development through nurture. Through strong caregiver attachment and nurturance, children are better prepared for school and to hit developmental milestones on time. The Health Fund is co-funding a pilot program to determine ABC’s effectiveness in Kansas. The results show healthier children, more confident caregivers, and stronger families overall.
Breastfeeding for Healthy Starts
Early nutrition plays a key role in long-term health. Through grants that encourage breastfeeding-friendly hospital policies and other advocacy work, we’ve made huge strides in breastfeeding initiation and duration, but minority populations still lag in both areas. We continue to support work to close this gap through both awareness and policy initiatives.