Soros Advocacy Fellowship for Physicians Guidelines | Grantee List | Case Studies
Boston, MA
2000
Fellowship Partnering Organization: Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
Home Institution: Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine
Phase 1 of the project was to identify public policies that impact infant mental health and to put them into terms that would resonate with policy makers and shapers. In addition, Dr. Askew sought to help Zero to Three (ZTT) highlight the unique needs of infants, toddlers, and their families.
Phase 2 involved working with the Better Baby Care (BBC) Campaign, housed at ZTT, a nationwide effort to improve the early care of infants and toddlers while their parents are working, in school, or in need of out-of-home services. The campaign works in collaboration with existing national, state, and local organizations to bring attention to the issues and to improve the policies that govern the quality of health and child care, parent education, family support, paid family leave, and related policies. Dr. Askew worked with existing national, state, and local organizations to promote the importance of states adopting and, most importantly, putting BBC Principles into action.
Fellowship Successes
Dr. Askew's most significant accomplishments included:
- helping local and state coalitions and individual organizations develop plans for the support of infants, toddlers, and families;
- extensive professional development, particularly the increased capacity to act as an advocate;
- preparation for the formation of his own advocacy organization.
