Help Me Grow System Model
All children should be able to grow, develop and thrive to reach their full potential.
Help Me Grow is a nationally recognized resource and referral linkage system that guides families through a complex web of services to connect them to appropriate community supports. It helps communities maximize existing resources to make sure everyone feels supported. Through Help Me Grow, parents and caregivers can easily access the resources they need, when they need them. A successful Help Me Grow system requires communities to work collaboratively, identify resources and think creatively about how to make the most of strengths and opportunities.
Through the Help Me Grow Model, Whatcom County is working toward:
Develop strategies to connect child and family health providers with Help Me Grow. This includes developing messaging materials, outreach campaigns, training, events and other resources.
Ensure families and organizations are aware of, and connected to, available resources. This includes developing messaging materials, outreach campaigns, training, events and other methods for connecting with families about child development.
Develop strategies that ensure a cohesive coordinated access system across the state so that families can find and access supports for young children. This includes identifying opportunities and challenges related to state and local resource directories, technology platforms and the Care Coordinators/Family Resource Navigators.
Analyze Help Me Grow indicator data to continuously improve the HMG system. This includes analyzing system usage data, looking for trends over time and identifying additional system needs in order to fill gaps in resources.
Identify frameworks, tools and strategies to embed equity in the Help Me Grow system. HMG Washington aims to embed racial equity throughout all interconnected core components with an understanding that it takes ongoing systems, organizational and individual level strategy and action.
Identify and advocate for resources and policies that improve the well-being of children, families and communities. This includes advocating for the Help Me Grow system, as well as needs that are identified through HMG.