SAFE-Peds

Early identification of risk is critical to improving child and family outcomes. Pediatricians regularly interact with children and families, but referrals to community-based prevention programs, such as parenting support and home visiting services, remain consistently underutilized. 

The goal of this project, SAFE-Peds: Supporting At-risk Families Early in Pediatric Settings, is to understand how pediatric providers identify and support families at risk for CM. We will integrate data from the electronic health record into a predictive model to identify markers in routine visits that might indicate risk for CM, warranting referral to parent support programs. Concurrently, we will conduct a mixed-methods study of pediatric medical professionals and map referral pathways to community-based organizations across the US. Ultimately, the goal is to minimize CM risk through earlier intervention and stronger healthcare-community partnerships.