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- Is there a financial commitment on the part of the Health Center to participate in the training?
- How many hours of staff time will be required to complete the training?
- Which staff will be required to attend the training? Will DPH provide CME, CUE, CPE etc. for participants?
- What is the Secrets of Baby Behavior intervention? Is it evidence-based? How has it been evaluated?
- What are the components of the training and the intervention?
- What will be required of staff and the Health Center to implement the intervention?
- Will the Health Center be evaluated on implementation?
- How much time will be required during patient visits to implement the Secrets of Baby Behavior intervention?
- How will implementing the intervention improve patient outcomes?
- How will Health Centers be selected to participate in the training?
- How should Health Centers with multiple service sites apply for the training?
- Will there be follow-up training or support after the initial SBB training?
- Who will be providing the Secrets of Baby Behavior Training?
1. Is there a financial commitment on the part of the Health Center to participate in the training?
The DPH/CDC grant program will cover the cost to provide the trainer and training materials. The partnering FQHC will have to cover any costs related to staff time to participate in the training.
The DPH/CDC grant program will cover the cost to provide the trainer and training materials. The partnering FQHC will have to cover any costs related to staff time to participate in the training.
2. How many staff hours will be required to complete the training?
The full Secrets of Baby Behavior Training is three (3), two hour trainings with an optional two hour newborn training which covers the 2-3 day postpartum period; for a total of eight (8) possible hours of training. However, FQHCs selected to participate in the training will work with the DPH training consultant to establish a training schedule that will best meet the needs of the Health Center and staff. FQHCs will be selected with consideration for the number of hours they are willing to dedicate to the training to facilitate the best implementation of the SBB intervention.
The full Secrets of Baby Behavior Training is three (3), two hour trainings with an optional two hour newborn training which covers the 2-3 day postpartum period; for a total of eight (8) possible hours of training. However, FQHCs selected to participate in the training will work with the DPH training consultant to establish a training schedule that will best meet the needs of the Health Center and staff. FQHCs will be selected with consideration for the number of hours they are willing to dedicate to the training to facilitate the best implementation of the SBB intervention.
3. Which staff will be required to attend the training? Will DPH provide CME, CEU, CPE, or other educational credits for participants?
The SBB training is designed to be implemented throughout the Health Center from front desk patient care. While we would like as many staff to participate as possible there are no requirements for specific staff to be trained. Preference will be given in selecting FQHC training partners who will train the highest percentage of center staff and who will require patient care staff to participate. The current funding cycle does not cover the cost of obtaining educational credits. However, assistance will be provided to selected sites to obtain the appropriate education credits for participating staff.
The SBB training is designed to be implemented throughout the Health Center from front desk patient care. While we would like as many staff to participate as possible there are no requirements for specific staff to be trained. Preference will be given in selecting FQHC training partners who will train the highest percentage of center staff and who will require patient care staff to participate. The current funding cycle does not cover the cost of obtaining educational credits. However, assistance will be provided to selected sites to obtain the appropriate education credits for participating staff.
4. What is the Secrets of Baby Behavior intervention? Is it evidence-based? How has it been evaluated?
The SBB intervention was designed by the University of California, Davis Human Lactation Center through a federal grant for implementation in the California WIC Program. The intervention is translational; a modification of evidence-based parenting education curricula similar to Parents as Teachers used in Connecticut home visiting programs. The intervention focuses on increasing parental competence in caring for their infant. Parents learn to recognize and respond appropriately to infant cues, develop realistic expectations for sleep and better understand crying. Increased competence translates to a reduction in the use of food as a behavior management strategy whether breastfeeding or formula feeding.
The original intervention was a case-control study. Breastfeeding duration and infant weight gain during the first six months of life were improved in the clinics participating in the intervention. Following the full implementation across all California WIC clinics exclusive breastfeeding duration among the WIC families improved. More information and the final report can be found on the USDA
website and the UC Davis Human Lactation Center website.
Population breastfeeding rates among WIC clients are being used as a proxy for implementation success. Evaluation for the purposes of the current DPH/CDC funding year will be a knowledge and satisfaction survey of training participants as well as qualitative feedback on the implementation of the intervention in the clinic setting.
The SBB intervention was designed by the University of California, Davis Human Lactation Center through a federal grant for implementation in the California WIC Program. The intervention is translational; a modification of evidence-based parenting education curricula similar to Parents as Teachers used in Connecticut home visiting programs. The intervention focuses on increasing parental competence in caring for their infant. Parents learn to recognize and respond appropriately to infant cues, develop realistic expectations for sleep and better understand crying. Increased competence translates to a reduction in the use of food as a behavior management strategy whether breastfeeding or formula feeding.
The original intervention was a case-control study. Breastfeeding duration and infant weight gain during the first six months of life were improved in the clinics participating in the intervention. Following the full implementation across all California WIC clinics exclusive breastfeeding duration among the WIC families improved. More information and the final report can be found on the USDA
website and the UC Davis Human Lactation Center website.
Population breastfeeding rates among WIC clients are being used as a proxy for implementation success. Evaluation for the purposes of the current DPH/CDC funding year will be a knowledge and satisfaction survey of training participants as well as qualitative feedback on the implementation of the intervention in the clinic setting.
5. What are the components of the training and intervention?
Please refer to our Objectives & Content page, which summarizes training modules. Keep in mind, the training components can be modified to fit the needs of the selected FQHCs. Centers will be encouraged to implement as many components of the training as is feasible.
Please refer to our Objectives & Content page, which summarizes training modules. Keep in mind, the training components can be modified to fit the needs of the selected FQHCs. Centers will be encouraged to implement as many components of the training as is feasible.
6. What will be required of the staff and Health Center to implement the intervention?
The educational messages of Infant Cues, Crying and Sleep should be shared with parents and caregivers during prenatal and early postpartum well-care visits. There are optional educational materials that can be used to guide the interaction. (Client educational materials used in the California WIC study are available for free from the USDA, Health Centers are invited to obtain copies and provide to patients as desired.) The training includes key parent/caregiver messages and strategies for staff to quickly and effectively share them. The SBB intervention is flexible and can be implemented through teachable moments during normal clinic interactions. DPH would like FQHCs to include SBB educational messages and materials systematically as part of Well Care visits for pregnant women and infants, to incorporate SBB into the routine care of patients.
The educational messages of Infant Cues, Crying and Sleep should be shared with parents and caregivers during prenatal and early postpartum well-care visits. There are optional educational materials that can be used to guide the interaction. (Client educational materials used in the California WIC study are available for free from the USDA, Health Centers are invited to obtain copies and provide to patients as desired.) The training includes key parent/caregiver messages and strategies for staff to quickly and effectively share them. The SBB intervention is flexible and can be implemented through teachable moments during normal clinic interactions. DPH would like FQHCs to include SBB educational messages and materials systematically as part of Well Care visits for pregnant women and infants, to incorporate SBB into the routine care of patients.
7. Will the Health Center be evaluated on implementation?
This grant cycle does not include funding for an evaluation of patient outcomes following the educational intervention. Future funding cycles may include additional evaluation components. As well, DPH is interested in tracking infant feeding choice through the electronic medical record. Preference will be given to FQHCs with interest in working together on the consistent documentation of infant feeding choices using a definition of exclusive breastfeeding, combination feeding and formula feeding.
This grant cycle does not include funding for an evaluation of patient outcomes following the educational intervention. Future funding cycles may include additional evaluation components. As well, DPH is interested in tracking infant feeding choice through the electronic medical record. Preference will be given to FQHCs with interest in working together on the consistent documentation of infant feeding choices using a definition of exclusive breastfeeding, combination feeding and formula feeding.
8. How much time will be required during patient visits to implement the Secrets of Baby Behavior intervention?
As described in FAQ #6 above, the messages are simple and easy to share during well care visits as part of the system of education and as teachable moments when staff observe caregiver-infant interactions.
As described in FAQ #6 above, the messages are simple and easy to share during well care visits as part of the system of education and as teachable moments when staff observe caregiver-infant interactions.
9. How will implementing the intervention improve patient outcomes?
The information included in the SBB educational intervention are parenting skill messages shown to improve parent competence in caring for their infant. Parents who receive the SBB messages are more likely to respond appropriately to infant cues, maintain realistic expectations for infant sleep and understand more about infant crying. Parents with these skills are better equipped to support the healthy growth and development of their children.
The information included in the SBB educational intervention are parenting skill messages shown to improve parent competence in caring for their infant. Parents who receive the SBB messages are more likely to respond appropriately to infant cues, maintain realistic expectations for infant sleep and understand more about infant crying. Parents with these skills are better equipped to support the healthy growth and development of their children.
10. How will Health Centers be selected to participate in the training?
FQHCs will be selected based on their responses to a brief application. Invitation letters and a copy of the application have been, and will be, emailed to all health centers in the late summer/early fall. The final year of training will begin in August 2017. If you would like more information about the application process please contact us. Preference will be given to sites who can train the highest percentage of staff and where other community connections are established that support breastfeeding and the SBB educational messages. During each grant cycle, there is a goal to conduct 4 training's. Health Centers that submit an application this cycle, but are not selected, will be added to a wait list and contacted in the next grant cycle (as funding allows) to confirm interest and to update the application as needed.
FQHCs will be selected based on their responses to a brief application. Invitation letters and a copy of the application have been, and will be, emailed to all health centers in the late summer/early fall. The final year of training will begin in August 2017. If you would like more information about the application process please contact us. Preference will be given to sites who can train the highest percentage of staff and where other community connections are established that support breastfeeding and the SBB educational messages. During each grant cycle, there is a goal to conduct 4 training's. Health Centers that submit an application this cycle, but are not selected, will be added to a wait list and contacted in the next grant cycle (as funding allows) to confirm interest and to update the application as needed.
11. How should Health Centers with multiple service sites apply for the training?
The invitation was sent out to the 14 FQHC organizations. We expect only one application per FQHC. If a FQHC has multiple service sites that would like to be trained, please complete Question #2, in this manner. Q#2, part a, provide the total number of staff for your FQHC organization by categories indicated and, in Q#2, part b, please indicate the total number of staff in each of the service sites, in each of the categories that will be required to be trained. If your Health Center is selected we can work to determine how best to train staff in multiple service sites.
The invitation was sent out to the 14 FQHC organizations. We expect only one application per FQHC. If a FQHC has multiple service sites that would like to be trained, please complete Question #2, in this manner. Q#2, part a, provide the total number of staff for your FQHC organization by categories indicated and, in Q#2, part b, please indicate the total number of staff in each of the service sites, in each of the categories that will be required to be trained. If your Health Center is selected we can work to determine how best to train staff in multiple service sites.
12. Will there be follow-up training or support after the initial SBB training?
FQHCs that are selected to participate in this round of funding may be eligible for follow-up training or support as available in subsequent grant funding cycles. No details are available at this time. DPH would like to continue working with selected FQHCs as funding becomes available and if it seems necessary.
FQHCs that are selected to participate in this round of funding may be eligible for follow-up training or support as available in subsequent grant funding cycles. No details are available at this time. DPH would like to continue working with selected FQHCs as funding becomes available and if it seems necessary.
13. Who will be providing the Secrets of Baby Behavior Training?
The department has contracted with, Monica Belyea, who holds a Master’s in Public Health Nutrition (MPH, RD) from the University of California, Berkeley to provide the training. After completing her MPH, Monica came to Connecticut for an internship at the Hartford Food System. She is a skilled trainer and facilitator at ease with professional, medical, and public audiences of all ages. Her passions are working with disadvantaged populations and creating systemic and environmental changes that help people make healthy choices without trying too hard. Ms. Belyea is certified as a trainer in the Secrets of Baby Behavior from the University of California, Davis (January 2013), and is certified in Child and Adolescent Weight Management from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (September 2005) and Childcare Health Consulting from Healthy Child Care New England (December 2005).
She has worked with the Husky Programs at UConn coordinating the Older Adult education and outreach and with the University of Rhode Island on the President’s Partnership in Food, Hunger and Nutrition. For the past eight (8) years she has been the working with the Early Childhood Collaborative, Opportunity Knocks, to create a system of nutrition policy consultation and support to the School Readiness and Early Childhood Education providers. In her varied career, she has created a number of different curricula, training materials, consumer handouts, newsletters, articles and a newspaper column. She has facilitated groups for research and education, trained professionals of all levels, starred in a local cooking show, and has been a regular radio guest doing features on healthy food choices.
Monica is a resident of Middletown, CT where she serves on the City Recycling Council, the Mayor’s/Middlesex Coalition for Children’s Hunger Task Force, and the School Readiness Council. She is the proud mother of two healthy girls ages 10 and 3.
Thank you for your interest in this training opportunity! Please contact Monica Belyea, DPH training consultant at [email protected] with additional questions.
The department has contracted with, Monica Belyea, who holds a Master’s in Public Health Nutrition (MPH, RD) from the University of California, Berkeley to provide the training. After completing her MPH, Monica came to Connecticut for an internship at the Hartford Food System. She is a skilled trainer and facilitator at ease with professional, medical, and public audiences of all ages. Her passions are working with disadvantaged populations and creating systemic and environmental changes that help people make healthy choices without trying too hard. Ms. Belyea is certified as a trainer in the Secrets of Baby Behavior from the University of California, Davis (January 2013), and is certified in Child and Adolescent Weight Management from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (September 2005) and Childcare Health Consulting from Healthy Child Care New England (December 2005).
She has worked with the Husky Programs at UConn coordinating the Older Adult education and outreach and with the University of Rhode Island on the President’s Partnership in Food, Hunger and Nutrition. For the past eight (8) years she has been the working with the Early Childhood Collaborative, Opportunity Knocks, to create a system of nutrition policy consultation and support to the School Readiness and Early Childhood Education providers. In her varied career, she has created a number of different curricula, training materials, consumer handouts, newsletters, articles and a newspaper column. She has facilitated groups for research and education, trained professionals of all levels, starred in a local cooking show, and has been a regular radio guest doing features on healthy food choices.
Monica is a resident of Middletown, CT where she serves on the City Recycling Council, the Mayor’s/Middlesex Coalition for Children’s Hunger Task Force, and the School Readiness Council. She is the proud mother of two healthy girls ages 10 and 3.
Thank you for your interest in this training opportunity! Please contact Monica Belyea, DPH training consultant at [email protected] with additional questions.