Improve Health SystemsMichelle Solano - pictured here with her 1-year-old son, John - keeps track of her three children's doctor visits immunizations, and growth and developmental milestones through the Child Health Passport program,=. Fremont County's Family Center, part of a statewide network of Early Childhood Councils, developed the program which is credited for the county's above-average immunization rate.
ECHO & FAMILY CENTER COUNCIL NETWORK
With an immunization rate of nearly 90% for babies and toddlers, Fremont County is ahead of the curve in Colorado, with the state average hovering closer to 82%. Early childhood health and care providers credit the Child Health Passport as one strong reason for this achievement.

Pioneered by the Family Center, the Child Health Passport helps parents track well-baby visits, immunizations, and growth and developmental milestones from birth to age 6.

"Parents become empowered and educated," said Diana McPeek, Family Center Health Manager. "We encourage them to ask questions when they go to the doctor."

Michelle Solano, who uses a Passport for each of her three children: Tamrah, 8, Ian, 6, and John Michael, 1, agrees. "It's like having your doctor's file right in front of you,'' said Solano. "There are charts in the back of the book for your baby's weight and length. You can have your own chart at home. It helps you remember your dates."

Since 1990, the program has triggered crucial interventions for families, and fostered partnerships between health care providers and parents. For example, one area doctor was skeptical that the 9-month well-baby visit was necessary; no shots were required. But mothers stuck to their Passport schedules and kept coming with their babies. On one of those visits, the doctor detected testicular cancer in a tiny patient. Early intervention proved vital, and the doctor soon became a staunch advocate for the Passport program.

The Family Center is part of the ECHO & Family Center Council Network. Throughout Colorado, 31 Early Childhood Councils like these are connecting young children and their families to health, education and family support programs. A new grant from The Trust supports the Councils in determining how they can increase their ability to strengthen and integrate primary and mental health care services as part of broader early childhood development efforts across the state.

With its Trust planning grant, Fremont's Council is looking at how to expand and build on the success of the 1,500 children being served through the Passport program. They also are exploring ways to expand mental health programs, and train home visitors - who spend time with new parents and child care workers - to help families fill out applications for Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+).

 "The Councils bring community stakeholders together to work on behalf of families so children have what they need to succeed," said Pamela Walker, Director of the ECHO & Family Center Council Network. "All the greatest development takes place in the first three years of life. If you want to make a big difference, do so with young children."

For more information about The Trust's work to improve health systems, contact Deidre Johnson, Program Officer, 303-837-1200, deidre@coloradotrust.org.