Paso del Norte Children’s Development Center — New Initiative (Help Me Grow El Paso)

Using the Help Me Grow early childhood system model, the Paso del Norte Children’s Development Center created a comprehensive system to connect young children with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families with DD-related services in the El Paso area. The project established a central intake hub and an early childhood resource directory that families, providers, and community members used to navigate complex resource and service systems. Through outreach and promotion, the project also increased public awareness of disability issues.

Some of the project’s highlights included:

• Launching Help Me Grow El Paso, an online hub and phone line that provides early childhood resources and information to families, caregivers, and service providers.
• Expanding the Help Me Grow model from a pilot program into full-scale implementation with additional funding from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
• Engaging and sharing resources with more than 260 people, including family members of young children with DD as well as other community members seeking support and information.
    

TCDD funds New Initiative projects to create new ways for Texans with DD to be included in their communities. New Initiative projects identify and propose innovative solutions to a statewide, regional, or local need. The projects may include programs, partnerships, or policy initiatives to address specific needs that emerge. The projects may also focus on benefiting unserved or underserved groups.