Tarrant County was recently highlighted in Strong Beginnings, Successful Lives: A Prenatal-to-Three Policy Guidebook for Legislators, published by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The guidebook is intended to be a resource for policymakers, and includes the following:

• Prenatal-to-three baseline facts and figures

• Examples from across the country of how legislators are using state policy to improve circumstances and outcomes for infants, toddlers and their families

• Details on various pieces of a framework that can help state legislators identify entry points for implementing infant and toddler policies in their state

This is the second time this year that Tarrant County’s successful work to impact infants, toddlers, and families has been recognized at a national level. Congratulations to the Early Learning Alliance and all of the local partners who have contributed to making Fort Worth and Tarrant County a leader in implementing quality early childhood policies and practices.

Texas County Using Data to Improve Screening and Referral Services

In Tarrant County, Texas, the Infant Toddler Developmental Screening Initiative brings together early childhood stakeholders, including the county health department, to increase access to early developmental screenings for infants and toddlers. The group also refers families to appropriate prenatal, early childhood and maternal health services. The initiative’s data collection found evidence of an “uncoordinated screening and referral process” in the county. The initiative is now using data to make systemic improvements, including providing screening kits to new providers, funding additional screenings, expanding the data system and increasing capacity of early intervention programs. Learn more on the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers’ webpage.