Help Me Grow
New York State
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. If your organization is interested in learning more about Help Me Grow for your area please complete our contact form.
Open the Help Me Grow New York Impact Report, or view it here:
Counties Covered
Children Served
%
Needs Met
Screenings Completed
History of Help Me Grow in the United States
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.
For more information about HMG National and the other HMG States click here
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.
2020-2021
HMG respond the COVID pandemic
Existing HMG Systems pivoted to assist families with young children to address needs related to the pandemic. See 2021-HMG-LI-2nd-Annual-Report for an example.
2022
Awarded NYS Legislative Grant Funding
Through the support of the NYS Legislature New York State based Help Me Grow(HMG) systems were awarded funding to strengthen existing four HMGs in New York. Docs For Tots serves as the fiscal agency for this effort.
2023
Onondaga County HMG Summit
First in person convening of representatives from current New York HMG systems. Communities that were interested in HMG also attended.
2024, 2025, 2026
Consecutively awarded NYS Legislative Grant Funding
Continuation of annually awarded funding received from the NYS Legislature has allowed HMGNY to continue to strengthen the presence of HMG in New York and expand in counties/regions not yet implementing HMG.
2024
Oswego County launches Help Me Grow
Oswego County officially became a HMG system. Bringing the total number of HMG systems in NY to five.
2024
Help Me Grow NY Summit in Buffalo NY
The first Official HMG New York Summit was hosted by HMG Western NY. Representatives from the 5 current HMG systems and 4 counties/regions in NY that are in various stages of exploring HMG also attended.
2025
Help Me Grow NY Summit in Long Island NY
Entitled the Stronger Together: Centering Children, Families & Futures Summit. In the true spirit of collective impact, the Child Care Councils of Nassau and Suffolk, Long Island’s Choice for All, Help Me Grow Long Island and Help Me Grow New York came together to host one amazing event. Representatives from 5 current HMG systems and 3 counties/regions in NY that are in various stages of HMG onboarding attended.
2026
Herkimer County Launches Help Me Grow
Herkimer County officially became a HMG System, bringing the total number of HMG systems in NY to six.
Become a Help Me Grow System
New systems in New York State are always welcome! If your county/region is interested in establishing a Help Me Grow model to advance the health, development and well being of young children (0-5 years) and would like to learn more please complete our contact form.
Help Me Grow is available in some New York State communities at this time. See the map below.