GETTING CHILDREN OFF TO A BRIGHT START

In northern Arizona workers in the Bright Start program provide comprehensive home visitation services that address the immediate health, safety and welfare of children birth through five years old. Using the tools in the New Directions Institute for Infant Brain Development Brain Boxes, and with support from their in-home worker, parents learn to interact with their children in meaningful ways that will impact their children's future success. 

A recent client is Jane, who was one of 16 children who were sexually abused by three of her brothers for a period of fourteen years. She was using drugs by age nine and CPS became involved when neighbors reported witnessing her use a meth pipe while she was pregnant as a teen. Jane’s two older children (one and two years of age) were removed and Jane was both offered and mandated to utilize many services to help her recover. Bright Start was one such service CPS recommended for her and her new baby.  With support Jane was able to get clean and stay clean. So far her four month old tests negative for any delays and shows no long term effects from his mother’s drug use while pregnant. Because of Jane’s hard work, commitment to stay clean, and willingness to heal, her children have been returned to her custody. And although no one is looking over her shoulder and requiring she work with Bright Start, Jane continues to want bi-monthly home visits. At her last visit, Jane told her worker that "I feel better about myself and my ability to raise my babies better than I have.  I learn at least one new thing from you every time you come."

To learn more about NDI's Brain Boxes, visit www.newdirectionsinstitute.org.