June Newsletter

		June 2006

Docs For Tots strives to make it as simple as possible for doctors to serve beyond their clinical practice walls as effective advocates for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. In this June issue of Tots Talk we hope to both inform and educate you on some of the salient policy and practice issues affecting children's social, emotional and physical development and identify opportunities for you increase your advocacy.

IN THIS ISSUE:

    Docs For Tots State Affiliate Information
    Nationwide Advocacy
    Docs For Tots Organization Updates
    State By State Advocacy
    Social Issues Affecting Children's Health

Docs For Tots New York

DFT NY is involved in the Pediatric Outreach Project- a project of Early Childhood Education Long Island (ECELI). Docs For Tots is helping to connect ECELI with Long Island Pediatricians to participate in focus groups where pediatricians can give input as to what materials and methods would be most effective to communicate information about early childhood issues to their patients and families. Pediatricians are also asked to share information on resources they would like to see developed to help the families they serve. If you are interested in becoming involved with the ECELI project the time commitment is 1.5 hours.

New York City Speaker Christine Quinn proposed an extension of pre-kindergarten from 2.5 hours to full day. New York City physicians interested in submitting letters to the editor of your local papers highlighting the health benefits of full day preschool, and engaging in other advocacy opportunities around this issue or working with Long Island Pediatricians should contact Dr. Dina Lieser, Docs For Tots New York State Director.

Docs For Tots Washington State

On June 6, 2006, the AAP’s Bright Futures Education Center will celebrate the success of the Bright Futures in Early Childhood Project. Join DFT Washington State Director and guest presenter, Dr. Jill Sells, in this opportunity to:

Celebrate the success of the Bright Futures in Early Childhood Project

Learn practical ways you can successfully use Bright Futures

Hear from state leaders about Washington State's new early learning initiatives

Engage in interactive dialogue about the future of Washington’s children

Registration is complimentary. To RSVP, or to learn more about this event, please visit the Bright Futures Web site.

The next Early Learning Council Meeting will be held on June 28, 2006 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at the Puget Sound Educational Service District in Renton. If you are interested in attending all or part of the meeting, or if you have additional questions about the agenda, please contact DFT WS Director, Dr. Jill Sells.
The Spokane County Head Start/Early Head Start organization is seeking a physician representative to attend their next Health Advisory Meeting on October 11th, 2006, from 5:15-7:30pm. This representative would be asked to provide information on Docs For Tots and ways to engage the medical community in advocacy efforts around early care and education. The presentation and question-and-answer session would last about 30 minutes. DFT will provide all of the necessary background information and materials to help prepare you for the event. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Dr. Jill Sells.

Nationwide Advocacy

California Preschool Support Project

Docs For Tots is pleased to announce the completion of two new materials to support pre-k promotion efforts in CA:

A PowerPoint presentation on the Importance of Quality Early Education
A 2-page document on Healthy Development and School Readiness

These materials can be downloaded from our website, www.DocsForTots.org, under the “Resources” section.

Congratulations Dr. Askew

Dr. George Askew, Founder and Executive Director of Docs For Tots, will receive a Salute to Excellence Award for 2006 for his significant contributions in the area of Health. This award honors the work of individuals who uphold the belief in "Service to All Mankind" by working within their communities in support of the target areas of education, economics, health, the black family and the arts. This award is being presented by the Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

August Tots Talk and Survey Results

Thank you to all of the network doctors who filled out and returned the Docs For Tots survey this past month. Docs For Tots appreciates your help in allowing us to better serve you. Please look for a paper copy of the August issue of Tots Talk.

Docs For Tots' normal E-newsletter will be mailed to all network doctors for a once a year print version of the newseltter. DFT will be addressing the concerns of network doctors and sharing new ideas and information with you concerning responses to the survey in our upcoming newsletter.

If you have changed your address since joining the network of doctor advocates, please send Tilly Gambill, Network Expansion & Communications Coordinator, your new information to update our records. This way you will be sure to receive the latest news and information about advocacy opportunities.

Docs For Tots

A Nationwide Network of Doctors Advocating for Young Children!

State Advocacy

In an effort to keep you better informed of advocacy efforts in your local community and opportunities you may have to get involved, Docs For Tots has added a new feature to our newsletter. Each issue we will be highlighting diferent state-based child advocacy organizations. Please take a look at what is happening in your state and others and the potential advocacy opportunities that exist.

Florida

Missouri

Virginia

If you are interested in advocating through one of these organizations or you would like to suggest an organization for DFT's next newsletter, please contact Tracey Rush, Programs Manager.

Advocacy Issues

State of the World’s Mothers is an annual report released by Save the Children, a global humanitarian organization based in the US. The report discusses, among other things, disparities that exist among disadvantaged groups in the US. Newborn death rates are highest among minorities, even when mothers have equivalent access to prenatal care. Accounting for all risk factors, the odds of newborn infants dying were 3.4 times higher in blacks, 1.5 times higher in Hispanics, and 1.9 times higher for races other than white. To find out more about health disparities and the U.S. ranking (10th) in the world for the status of mothers and children, click here.