Early Childhood System of Care
Families have complex needs, often beyond what any one agency can provide. And yet, often early childhood mental health and other necessary services exist in a fragmented system. To improve coordination among community-based supports and ensure that there are no wrong doors for families seeking help, United Way launched an Early Childhood System of Care pilot (ESOC) in the neighborhood of Allston-Brighton, Massachusetts. ESOC is about giving children and families the comprehensive and integrated support they need. It is a coordinated network of community-based services and supports that are organized to meet the unique needs of very young children and their families. Early Childhood System of Care Goals:
- To improve services for children in need of social-emotional support
- To enhance the capacity of existing community organizations to provide those services, and
- To better support the families of children in need.
ESOC started by building upon what already existed in the community, but focused on improving coordination and addressing gaps in service. The Home for Little Wanderers was selected as the ESOC lead agency. ESOC funds will initially support a community team coordinator, partnerships with pediatric practices, newborn and infant home visits, staff training on developmentally appropriate and strengths-based practices with children and families, coaching for supervisors, and other elements to improve capacity and services. United Way plans to use what we learn from this initial community pilot to lay the groundwork for future initiatives in other locations and inform larger systems changes across the Commonwealth.
