University and Community Partnership to Mitigate Effects of Poverty on Early Child Development

Background: This partnership between a university pediatric practice and community agencies grew from a need to better serve children in a diverse county with the poorest health outcomes in our state and increasing rates of child poverty. The clinic opened in June 2015 with a vision of improving the health of vulnerable children by reducing barriers of transportation, communication, and lack of income. Community partners are critical for this objective. The clinic shares spaces with various community organizations such as the Connections program and early head start. The clinic sees …