Frederick, Md – On March 28 Strong Families, a new public education campaign, launched a video premiere at C. Burr Arts Library. The campaign was launched by the Frederick County Office for Children and Families and The Frederick County Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Workgroup to support families and children to reach their full potential in life. Resources can be found at frederickcountymd.gov/strongfamilies.
The premiere was co-hosted by Frederick County Public Libraries and the Frederick County Health Care Coalition, showcased videos in English and Spanish on a key brain building activity called “serve and return,” or “servir y devolver.” The videos feature four Frederick County families and will be promoted on social media and at Warehouse Cinemas in April for the Month of the Young Child. County Executive Jessica Fitzwater joined the premiere with a proclamation of April as the Month of the Young Child.
Parents and caregivers naturally engage in “serve and return,” but are unaware of its importance. “Brain building isn’t something that children do on their own. They need the adults in their lives to build it with them,” said Shelly Toms, Director of the Frederick County Office for Children and Families. “We want to offer families a resource to support ‘serve and return’.”
Strong Families has developed an infographic explaining the early positive experiences on brain architecture, the impact of toxic stress on brain architecture, and how communities can support families. “Early investments for children and their families help children develop strong brain architecture, so our community is getting ahead of problems,” said Pilar Olivo, ACEs Liaison, Frederick County Office for Children and Families, and lead of the Frederick County ACEs Workgroup.
For information about the Frederick County ACEs Workgroup, visit Local Health Improvement Process | Frederick County Health Department, MD (frederickcountymd.gov).
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