Early Relational Health

The earliest years of a child’s life lay the foundation for emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. Research shows that when caregivers and infants form strong, responsive relationships, children experience improved health, reduced toxic stress, and better lifelong outcomes.

However, systemic barriers—such as gaps in maternal healthcare, lack of culturally responsive support, and inequitable access to early childhood services—prevent many families from getting the help they need. First Steps Kent is working to change that.

Supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Wege Foundation, our Early Relational Health (ERH) Initiative is working to increase awareness and access to the tools, resources, and support needed to nurture healthy caregiver-child relationships from the very beginning.

With increasing attention on maternal and infant health disparities, First Steps Kent is well-positioned to drive meaningful change at a systems level. Our approach ensures that:

• More parents receive the guidance and resources they need during pregnancy and early childhood.
• Healthcare and early childhood providers are trained in early relational health practices, leading to better outcomes for children.
• A scalable model for early relational health is developed, with the potential to be replicated in communities across the country.

With additional resources, First Steps Kent is prepared to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and ensure that every child in Kent County—and beyond—has the foundation for lifelong health.