Padmini Parthasarathy, MPH

Family, Maternal and Child Health ProgramsContra Costa Health Services

Health-Wealth Connection SymposiumJune 23, 2010Building Economic Security Today (BEST):A Life Course Perspective-based Pilot Project Addressing the Health-Wealth Connection

AcknowledgementsLife Course Planning Team:Cheri Pies, Director, FMCH ProgramsChuck McKetney, EpidemiologistDebbie Casanova, EvaluatorDawn Dailey, Program Manager

The Life Course InitiativeA 15-year initiativeLaunched in 2005The Life Course Perspective (Lu and Halfon)A 12-Point Plan to Close the Black-White Gap in Birth Outcomes (Lu, Kotelchuck, et al.)

Life Course Initiative GoalsReduce health disparities and health inequitiesOptimize reproductive potentialCreate a paradigm shift in MCH work

Life Course Initiative GoalsTo change the health of a generation

Focusing on Financial StabilityUnnatural CausesWealth = Health/Social Gradient of Health12 Point PlanReduce PovertySupport Working Mothers and FamiliesInput from staff and community residents

Building Economic Security Today (BEST)Reduce disparities and inequities in health outcomes by improving financial security and stability

Project ActivitiesStaff trainings

PartnershipsDeveloping interventions

Evaluation

Developing InterventionsMeetings with program managers and staffCFR consultationWIC client and staff focus groups (report on website)Review of financial education curriculaAsset Development Resource Guide

Home Visiting InterventionOne-on-one:AssessmentInformationReferralsFollow-up

WIC InterventionGroups:Introductory financial education classesOptional series of in-depth classesReferrals

BEST PartnersCommunity Financial ResourcesContra Costa Family Economic Security Partnership (FESP)Health-Wealth Connection Collaborative (HWCC)Spark Point Center Collaboratives

Intermediate OutcomesIncreased knowledge and skills of staff and clientsNew practices for staffIncreased confidence and readiness of clients to adopt at least one asset development strategySystem changes

Long-Term OutcomesFamily income for daily living maximized

Preservation of and increase in financial assets

Increased financial security and stability, and improved financial status

Increased access to care, improved housing, better neighborhoods, increased food security, decreased violence, etc.

Improved health outcomes and financial statusfor future generations

Lessons LearnedStart with staff where they areAcknowledge what staff are already doing and build on thisRecognize that change takes timeHave a long viewSeize opportunities to collaborate with new partnersDevelop evaluation plan while developing program interventions

For More InformationPadmini Parthasarathy, MPHLife Course Initiative CoordinatorFamily, Maternal and Child Health Programs

925-313-6178padmini.parthasarathy@hsd.cccounty.us

www.cchealth.org/groups/lifecourse/