1. Docs For Tots network, now over 400!
2. New DFT website coming soon!
3. DFT New York Update
4. New Talking Point: “What Docs Should Know About…Pre-Kindergarten”
5. Better Baby Care Update
6. Network doc, Dr. Danielle Dooley presents “Dental Facts for the Frontline” via simulcast.
7. Network Doc Candice Chen shows her SPARK
8. Medicaid Matters! Maryland
9. Summer interns and a new volunteer: Tara Kelly, Lynn Palmeri, and Christine Korcal

1.  The Docs For Tots network continues to grow.  We have over 400 doctors nationwide!  The growth of our network adds to our capacity to help children, enabling us to partner with more state child advocacy groups.  If you know doctors who may be interested in joining our network, please refer them to our website: www.docsfortots.org.

2.  DFT’s website is undergoing a make-over!  In July we will be launching a new site reflecting the growth and vision of our organization.  The website will have enhanced features such as a search engine and online donations, and will be more user-friendly to cater to our doctors, advocacy organizations, and visitors.

3.  Our Docs For Tots Pre-K For All New York Support Initiative is gearing up activity to support Pre-K Now efforts at the local and state level!  In conjunction with Winning Beginning NY (www.winningbeginningny.org), a statewide campaign to inform policy-makers and the public about the many benefits of early learning, DFT NY Project Director Dina Lieser, MD has been networking with doctors and legislators in New York City to bring Pre-K For All to the forefront of the child advocacy agenda.  Recent activities include: distributing information on the health and general benefits of Pre-K at a health fair sponsored by the National Medical Student Association of Weil Cornell Medical School, developing op-ed pieces in response to Pre-K expulsion rate research and general Pre-K editorials, and giving a presentation to Weil Cornell medical Students entitled: Pre-kindergarten: A Model for Child Advocacy.

If you are interested in getting involved in these exciting advocacy initiatives in New York, please email Advocacy Network Coordinator Alice Hunt at ahunt@docsfortots.org.

4.  As part of our work towards establishing Pre-Kindergarten for all in New York State, we have a new talking point on Pre-K entitled “What Docs Should Know About…Pre-Kindergarten.”  Please visit http://www.docsfortots.org/Links.htm to find this talking point and many others.

5.  DFT has been working to engage doctors in the Better Baby Care Campaign.  Our first national audio conference was a success, and we are continuing our efforts to offer new opportunities for doctors to get involved in advocating for infants and toddlers. 

• In May DFT hosted an audio conference for doctors and advocacy organizations, entitled “Partnering Doctors and Advocacy Organizations,”  featuring Cindy D'Ercole, Senior Policy Analyst from Kansas Action for Children and Dr. Jill Sells, a pediatrician and consultant for health and children's issues in Seattle, Washington.  The speakers provided unique perspectives on how advocacy organizations can facilitate work with doctors, and how doctors can become more effectively engaged in advocacy. The transcript from this call will be available on our new website in July.   
• Pennsylvania Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) is currently in the process of planning for an Infant Mental Health Forum in the Fall.  There will be an important role for doctors in this forum, and we will be sure to keep you posted!  If you are interested, please contact Alice Hunt (ahunt@docsfortots.org).
• Iowa and New Hampshire docs—stay tuned for upcoming opportunities in your states!

6.  DFT was proud to host Dr. Danielle Dooley when she presented “Dental Facts for the Frontline” via a nationwide audio-web simulcast. Dr. Dooley used the internet to broadcast her PowerPoint presentation to child care providers, advocates, and doctors all over the country.  We would also like to thank Dr. David Krol for participating in the event as an oral health expert.  For those who were unable to attend the event live, the presentation will be available online in July with our new website.

7.  SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) held its third annual Universal School Readiness Conference on April 30th.  Network doctor Candice Chen along with Celina Chelala from CentroNia taught teachers, child care providers, school administrators, and advocates about health and school readiness.

8.  Calling all Maryland Docs! We are looking for doctors in Maryland to work with Medicaid Matters! Maryland to advocate the protection and funding of the Maryland state Medicaid program.  Please contact Alice Hunt (ahunt@docsfortots.org) if you are interested in advocating for Medicaid in Maryland.

9.  Tara Kelly and Lynn Palmeri are first-year Georgetown University medical students who are working with us as full-time interns this summer.  Tara is researching the availability of services for children 0-5 in the District of Columbia and Lynn is researching the availability of advocacy training in medical schools across the country.  Christine Korcal is a student in the post baccalaureate premedical program at American University in Washington, DC.  She is volunteering with us this summer and working on a variety tasks that support the vision and mission of DFT.  It is our privilege to have such enthusiastic and talented students working with us.