Help Me Grow
New York State Help Me Grow
Since 2011, communities in New York State have begun adopting the national, evidence-based Help Me Grow model to advance the health, well-being, and success of children, prenatally through age five. By supporting our state’s young children today, we promote healthier and more prosperous communities tomorrow.
Open the March 2023 Help Me Grow New York Impact Report, or view it here:
Counties Covered
Children Served
%
Needs Met
Screenings Completed
History
The nation’s first Help Me Grow system launched in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1997. Based on the strength of these results and the targeted advocacy efforts of founding director Dr. Paul Dworkin and his team, the Connecticut system expanded statewide in 2002. In 2017, the Help Me Grow model was endorsed by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services as a model centralized intake, screening, and referral system that helps build collaboration across health care, early care and education, and family support providers. Currently, more than 30 states are affiliates of the National Network and receive ongoing technical assistance from the Help Me Grow National Center to implement the Help Me Grow model aimed at creating cross-sector systems that give families equitable access to the resources they need when they need them.
Evolution of Help Me Grow
2011-2014
NYS Framework and Pilot
First pilot of Help Me Grow in NYS, Help Me Grow Western New York. Community partners explore local installation of national Help Me Grow model in Erie and Niagara Counties.
2014-2017
Western New York Initial Implementation
Help Me Grow Western New York begins installing the Help Me Grow model on a small scale in Erie and Niagara Counties, preparing for replication across the region.
2017
Western New York Expansion
With enhanced funding, Help Me Grow Western New York expands its footprint to 8 counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming.
2017
Federal grant supports early childhood systems building in Long Island and Western New York
The Long Island and Western New York communities receive funding through a five-year federal Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) grant of the U.S. Health and Human Services Administration secured by NYS Council on Children and Families. As a result, Help Me Grow formation and implementation efforts in these areas are strengthened through expanded health, human service, early care and learning, and community-based partnerships.
2018
Help Me Grow Long Island Created
Docs for Tots and community partners institute and begin implementing Help Me Grow in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
2019
Help Me Grow Onondaga Created
2019
Help Me Grow adopted into GROW Rochester Initiative
The Children’s Institute, GROW Rochester, and community partners begin embedding Help Me Grow practices into early childhood system-building efforts in the Greater Rochester Area of Monroe County.
2019
Help Me Grow National Forum Held in NYS
For the first time, the annual Help Me Grow National Forum is held in New York State, hosted in Buffalo by Help Me Grow Western New York and co-sponsored by the Help Me Grow National Center and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
Become a Help Me Grow Affiliate
New affiliates in New York State are always welcome! If your community is interested in adopting the Help Me Grow model to advance the health, development, and well-being of young children, contact the Organizing Entity for HMG NYS Systems.
Help Me Grow is available in some New York State communities at this time. Click your county on the map below to find out more.