Thanks for choosing to contribute your perspective on policies that influence the well-being of babies
(birth to age 3) and families with young children here in Florida!

This survey is made possible because Florida was selected as one of 12 states participating in a national initiative called the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) Impact Project.  Due to the ECCS award, our state now has the opportunity to work with ZERO TO THREE, the National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families, to complete a statewide self-assessment.  More information is available at www.fleccsimpact.org.  

As you will soon discover, this survey is comprehensive!  It covers a variety of areas relating to Early Learning, Healthy Development, Family Well-Being, and System Building.  It is fine to respond "Don't Know" or to skip questions as you see fit.  You can contribute confidentially or provide your name and contact information at the end if you prefer.  

While you can probably complete the entire survey of 109 questions in about 20 minutes if you simply respond to the multiple choice options, your comments are incredibly valuable, especially about the following:  

STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES:  It is so helpful to hear about particular ways that policies or practices are working really well or are creating significant problems.  

DISPARITIES & EQUITY:  It is also important to find out what you are noticing about differences in implementation or family experiences across neighborhoods, or across racial and ethnic identities.  This will help to address disparities and to bring about equity for all babies, families and communities throughout Florida.

This survey will be circulating throughout Florida over the upcoming two weeks.  Then overall results will be shared publicly so that everyone can use them to support ongoing advocacy and changemaking efforts.  

If you have any questions or feedback about this survey or process, you are welcome to contact Dr. Allison Pinto (AP@allisonpinto.com; 727.225.9362), who is consulting to Florida ECCS and overseeing this survey process.  

Thanks in advance for taking the time to contribute, and for all you do to promote the thriving of babies here in Florida! 

OK, now let’s get started…
EARLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Please share your perspective on current policies, practices, resources and programs relating to early learning opportunities for babies (birth to age 3).
CHILD CARE

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1. Families in need of child care for their babies can access affordable, high-quality care in their communities.

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2. Family, friend, and neighbor caregivers of babies have access to supports such as lending libraries, play opportunities, training, consultation, etc.

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3. Families can access a network of Child Care Resource and Referral agencies to help identify their needs and refer them to appropriate child care programs.

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4. Child care providers working with babies regularly use engagement strategies to support parents as their child’s first teachers.

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5. Infant-toddler child care programs regularly work with community partners such as libraries, museums, parks and recreation, the faith community, etc.

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6. Infant-toddler child care programs are culturally responsive and address the needs of babies learning English as a second language.

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7. Babies with disabilities can access supports needed to participate in child care programs.

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8. Infant–toddler child care professionals are paid wages at least as high as other early care and education professionals.

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9. Infant–toddler child care professionals are paid a living wage.

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10. Child care professionals can access infant-toddler specific professional development through:

  No / None Some Most Yes / All Don't Know
Higher Education
In-Service Training
Technical Assistance

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11. Technical assistance providers, coaches, licensing specialists, and other individuals providing support to child care providers are trained in infant–toddler development.

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12. Families experience themselves and their babies as being treated with respect by child care providers and the various organizations associated with child care.

EARLY INTERVENTION

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13. Babies with potential developmental disabilities or delays are referred to and receive Part C Early Intervention services, when eligible.

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14. Babies exiting Early Intervention have either completed the Individualized Family Service Plan or transitioned to appropriate services to support their development.

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15. Babies who have a substantiated case of child abuse or neglect are referred to Part C Early Intervention for screening and/or evaluation.

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16. Babies in the child welfare system who have developmental delays, but do not meet Part C eligibility, receive needed services.

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17. Families experience themselves and their babies as being treated with respect by Early Intervention providers, and the various organizations associated with early intervention.

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18. Do you have ideas about policy-related changes that could better promote the  early learning of babies throughout Florida?  Please share your thoughts here.

HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT

Please share your perspective on current policies, practices, resources and programs relating to the healthy development of babies (birth to age 3).
PHYSICAL HEALTH

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19. Pregnant women have access to and regularly receive prenatal care throughout pregnancy, as well as postpartum care.

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20. Babies live in healthy environments, free from environmental hazards.

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21. Families with babies can regularly access nutritious food.

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22. Babies regularly receive recommended well-child visits.

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23. Babies have an identified medical home.

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24. Eligible women and children utilize the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program.

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25. Eligible families with babies utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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26. Primary health care providers are reimbursed adequately for the time it takes to provide child development guidance in well-child visits.

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27. Infant–toddler caregivers and child care programs access health care consultation as needed.

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28. Families experience themselves and their children as being treated with respect by health care providers, and the various organizations associated with physical health.

DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING

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29. Families with babies access developmental screening in pediatric and/or early care and education settings.

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30. When developmental screening indicates a need for services, families with babies are referred to and have access to appropriate services.

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31. Screening results are regularly shared (with parent consent) with the providers making referrals, so that they can continue to support and monitor children’s development and needs.

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32. Primary heath care providers and early care and education programs are adequately reimbursed for use of standardized developmental screening tools.

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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33. Families with babies live in communities where neighbors know and trust each other and work together to make it a great place to live and raise children.

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34. Parents and families can access resources to support the social–emotional development of their babies.

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35. Families, neighborhoods, and professionals are collaborating to develop community-wide efforts to promote the healthy development of babies and young children.

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36. Pregnant and postpartum women have access to and receive screenings and mental health services for maternal depression, as needed.

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37. Babies with social-emotional or behavioral issues are assessed, diagnosed, and treated by trained professionals as needed.

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38. Families with babies have access to mental health services in pediatric primary care settings as well as mental/behavioral health care settings.

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39. Primary health care providers are adequately compensated for use of standardized early childhood mental health screening tools.

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40. Infant–toddler professionals and child care programs receive training on how to address the mental health needs of babies.

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41. Infant-toddler caregivers and child care programs have access to mental health consultation services as needed.

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42. Families experience themselves and their children as being treated with respect by mental health care providers, and the various organizations associated with social-emotional health.

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43. Do you have ideas about policy-related changes that could better promote the  healthy development of all babies throughout Florida?  Please share your thoughts here.

FAMILY WELL-BEING

Please share your perspective on current policies, practices, resources and programs relating to the well-being of families with babies (birth to age 3).
EMPLOYMENT & INCOME

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44. Families with babies have access to whatever education, skill training, job opportunities, and work supports they need in order to obtain stable work that generates a livable wage.

FAMILY LEAVE & BENEFITS

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45. Working families can access paid family leave through their employers after birth or adoption.

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46. Working families can access paid sick leave through their employers when a young child is sick.

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47. Working parents receive work–life benefits through their employers to help them balance work with caring for their babies. (examples: flexible work hours, emergency child care)

HOUSING

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48. High quality, affordable housing options that are close to community assets (examples: parks, libraries, stores) and preferred social networks (friends and family) are available to families of babies, including families with low income.

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49. Energy and utilities assistance options are available to families of babies with low income.

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50. Landlords are responsive to the needs and requests of families with babies who are renting their properties.

TRANSPORTATION

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51. Families with babies have consistent access to reliable transportion options.

ACCESSING RESOURCES AND SERVICES

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52. Families can find the resources and services they need for their babies through cross-program referrals and information and referral agencies.

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53. Families receive information and services responsive to their home culture and language.

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54. Families with babies who face multiple hardships (for example: low income, housing instability, and health issues) can access programs and services that work together to support them.

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55. State policies support a coordinated multigenerational approach to addressing the needs of babies and their families, particularly those who face multiple hardships.

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56. Transition policies ensure continuity of services between various infant–toddler program settings, as well as programs for older children.

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57. Mechanisms exist to coordinate among infant–toddler programs and to link them with other services such as health, mental health, education, child welfare, and family support.

HOME VISITING / PARENTING SUPPORT

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58. Parenting resources are readily available to all parents of babies seeking information on how to support healthy child development.

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59. Parents and families with babies can access parent support networks as desired.

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60. Expectant parents and families with babies can access evidence-based home visiting programs, as desired.

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61. Families with babies can access evidence-based parenting education programs, as needed and desired.

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62. Home visiting supports extend to families, friends, and neighbors caring for babies.

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63. Families who wish to increase their leadership and advocacy skills can access leadership initiatives.

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64. Families experience themselves and their children as being treated with respect by home visitors, parenting educators, and parent support networks.

CHILD WELFARE

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65. Child welfare workers and judges receive ongoing training about child development, racism, implicit bias, and the effects of trauma and use that knowledge to guide their work with infants and toddlers in the child welfare system.

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66. Babies in out-of-home placements have frequent contact with birth parents, when safe and appropriate.

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67. Families (including birth families, permanent guardians, and adoptive families) have access to continued post-permanency supports, such as adoption subsidies and therapeutic services, after permanency has been achieved.

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68. Families who are investigated for maltreatment, but whose cases are not substantiated, are still connected to support services, as desired.

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69. Children in the child welfare system receive screenings and services to promote their learning and development, such as early intervention and high-quality early care and education.

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70. Families experience themselves and their children as being treated with respect by professionals and the variety of organizations associated with the courts and child welfare.

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71. Do you have ideas about policy-related changes that could better promote the  well-being of all families with babies throughout Florida?  Please share your thoughts here.

 
 50% of survey complete.

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