growing healthy children

one in 59 children with having autism spectrum disorder.

“The AAP recommends both developmental monitoring or surveillance and developmental screening for all children,” says Roseann Fricks, CEO of Early Learning Coalition of Marion County Inc. “But many children are not identified until school entry, which means too many children miss the opportunities provided by early intervention services.”

Enter Help Me Grow Florida, a comprehensive and integrated statewide system to address the need for early identification of developmental and/or behavioral concerns. Children, birth through 8, and their families are referred to community-based support and services, depending on their specific needs. The HMG system has been proven to decrease medical costs and build family resilience. Through a state grant, ELCMC contracts with The Children’s Forum and became a Help Me Grow a liate in July 2018.

2-1-1 through United Way. HMG is available to assist parents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We collaborate with many community programs, including Healthy Start, Children’s Home Society, local pediatricians and many others.”

On November 17, HMG will host its first Books, Balls & Blocks. The free community outreach event will be held at the Marion County Public Library Headquarters from 10am-1pm. There will be fun activities and free developmental screenings for children, birth through 8.

“The need in our community for the HMG program was evident right away,” says Cox. “In our first month, we served 11 families. Now we average between 15-20 families a month. The HMG program is open and available to everyone at no cost. We encourage families to take advantage of the resources available.”

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one in four children, ages 0-5, are at a moderate to high risk for developmental, behavioral or social delay. Additionally, about one in six children, ages 3-17, have developmental disabilities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” campaign identified

“We provide free developmental screenings with follow-up referrals to local community partners,” says Tonya Cox, the ELCMC Help Me Grow Care Coordinator. “Our services help identify early developmental concerns in children and connect families with services they need. All our HMG material is in English and Spanish. HMG is available by calling ELCMC directly or by calling

Learn more › TONYA COX, HELP ME GROW CARE COORDINATOR › (352) 369-2315, ext. 225 › Monday-Thursday 8:30am5pm, Friday 7am-3:30pm › elc-marion.org/help-me-grow

Want to go? › BOOKS, BALLS AND BLOCKS › Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Marion County Public Library Headquarters › 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala › 10am-1pm › Free fun activities & developmental screenings (ages birth-8)