NOW LEARNING COMMUNITY
Young Child Wellness Council
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
About Us
Tuscaloosa Young Child Wellness Council (YCWC) was formed in 2015, where fourteen agencies were represented and has since grown and continued to identify potential partners. The council is comprised of parents, providers, and community leaders and works collaboratively across systems in order to improve policies, programs and approaches to using data and funds effectively. Additionally, this group works to improve knowledge about healthy child development through public education campaigns and cross-disciplinary workforce development.
Mission
The mission of Young Child Wellness Council is to address the social and emotional health and well-being of infants, young children, and their families through an integrated early childhood system of care.
Vision
The vision of Young Child Wellness Council is all families in Tuscaloosa will be supported by having access to high quality comprehensive services. Community needs will be understood across systems.
Lead Partners
Other Partners
Partners include local community agencies that work with children birth to eight years of age and their families including:
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preschools
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mental health providers
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public schools
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Representatives from the state young child wellness council
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family resource centers
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families
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medical professionals
Tuscaloosa YCWC is part of the state-wide Alabama Project LAUNCH Young Child Wellness Council (YCWC).
Learning Community Goals and Strategic Priorities
During the learning community, the Young Child Wellness Council is focusing on the following goals:
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Cross-system development and implementation of targeted outreach and prevention services
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Strengthening the continuum of family centered maternal and child health services and supports
Strategic priorities include:
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Continued outreach to parents
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Identify parent engagement opportunities
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Ongoing education and development of community voice: finding, developing, creating awareness for community voice
Highlights
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Blog Post: "Leaning into Discomfort and Valuing Disorganization, " By Stephanie Covarrubia and Amy Crosby (July 11, 2019)
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Podcast Episode, "Letting Communities Lead: Relationship Building and Listening for Systems Change" (June 24, 2019)
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"Council Aims to Maximize Early Childhood Wellbeing" (University of Alabama, September 12, 2018)
For More Information
Amy Crosby
Agency Coordinator, West Alabama Food Bank
agency@westalabamafoodbank.org
Phone: 205-333-5353