Bringing up Baltimore

Summary

Baltimore recently launched an innovative effort to fix its disconnected and disappointing system of home visiting services. The goal? Coordinate high-impact, evidence-based strategies aimed at helping the city’s most fragile families — and especially its youngest residents — lead healthier, successful lives.  

Table of Contents

• Table of Contents
• Overview
• Step 1: Get leadership buy-in
• Step 2: Conduct a needs assessment
• Step 3: Select evidence-based programs
• Step 4: Implement evidence-based programs and create a unified system
• Step 5: Provide staff with training and technical assistance
• Step 6: Establish a central triage and referral process
• Step 7: Establish a monitoring and reporting system
• Step 8: Monitor implementation and outcomes
• Baltimore’s Home Visiting Transition at a Glance
• Baltimore Transition Milestones
• Endnotes

Key Takeaway

120 infants died in Baltimore in 2008; it was a call to action—and a call for change

In 2009 and 2010, Baltimore kicked off an eight-step journey to transform its broken system of home-visiting programs. Five years, two evidence-based models and one streamlined service delivery system later, the city is well positioned to help even its most vulnerable families secure a healthier, brighter tomorrow.