Birth to Five Helpline Information
Here is a quick article about Southwest Human Development’s Birth to Five Helpline:
Instructions Not Included: Birth to Five Helpline provides parents and caregivers with much-needed support
Unfortunately, newborns don’t come with an owner’s manual. Babies and young children regularly both exceed their happy parents’ expectations or become a source of bewilderment as to their needs and behavior. Precious as they are, some surprise mom and dad with sleeping problems, difficulties feeding and hard-to-soothe crying. Others may come with health challenges, prematurity or enter the world during a difficult time for their family.
In any case, parents are apt to worry about their child’s overall well-being, and they want to meet his or her unique needs. They may also worry if they are doing a good enough job as a parent for their baby’s early development.
Since children don’t come with a guide their parents can follow to lessen their worries and find information, Southwest Human Development’s Birth to Five Helpline is a welcomed and widely-used resource throughout Arizona.
The Birth to Five Helpline is state’s only toll-free helpline for parents and caregivers who have questions or concerns about early childhood development or parenting. It’s a critical resource and support system around a wide range of issues that affect very young children and those who care for them.
Excessive crying, commonly known as colic, is highly stressful for parents and caregivers, and is a frequent reason they call for help. Other topics typically include addressing sleep challenges, feeding problems, and any other questions or worries they may have related to parenting their young child.
Southwest Human Development’s early childhood specialists are able to take time to listen to callers’ concerns, explore with them what may be causing or contributing to the issue, and work in partnership with each family to develop solutions that are the best fit for the child. It’s important that parents and caregivers feel understood and not alone with their concerns and more confident in their parenting.
Available statewide, Southwest Human Development’s early childhood specialists are able to link callers to community resources and additional support when needed. The Birth to Five Helpline also serves as a way to connect callers with Southwest Human Development’s more than 40 early childhood programs and services, and support from a wide range of early childhood staff, including psychologists, nurses, and physical, speech and occupational therapists.
For more information about Southwest Human Development’s Birth to Five Helpline, please call 1-877-705-KIDS (5437) or visit www.birthtofivehelpline.org.
For a copy of the article click HERE.
Category: Child Welfare, General, Health, Programs, Resources
