Nurturing Connections. Healthy Beginnings.
Every big success starts small. In kids' earliest years, everyday moments like holding, comforting, talking, playing, reading, and responding help them feel safe, connected, and ready to grow. That is the power of early relational health.
First Steps Kent is working with parents, healthcare providers, early childhood programs, and community partners to make it easier for families to find trusted support, reduce stress, and build strong relationships from the very beginning.
What is early relational health?
The emotional wellness that grows from warm, nurturing, and responsive relationships between infants or toddlers and their caregivers. These early bonds promote healthy child development, strengthen caregivers' confidence and connection, and protect families from the negative effects of stress.
Child’s Emotional Wellbeing
Young children thrive when they feel safe, loved, and connected. Strong, responsive relationships help protect babies and toddlers from stress and are the foundation for lifelong learning, health, and well-being.
Caregiver Connection & Support
Parents and caregivers need care, too. When parents have the support they need, they can focus on building strong relationships with their children, being present in everyday care, and creating healthy routines that help the whole family thrive.
Access to Trusted Care
Families benefit from consistent care from pregnancy through the early years, including prenatal visits, postpartum care, and regular well-child checkups.
Access the Essentials
When families have stable access to essentials like housing, food, and income, they are better able to focus on nurturing strong relationships and supporting their children.
Join our Nurture Connection Community
First Steps Kent is coordinating a Nurture Connection Network Collaborative, a diverse group of physicians, clinicians, social workers, community health workers, parents, and early childhood professionals. This collaboration is already working to design solutions that remove barriers to early relational health for families in Kent County.
Partnered with Georgetown University, we are working to equip caregivers and professionals with practical skills to support early relational health.
How can you get involved?
First Steps Kent is actively engaging community members, partners, and professionals in advancing early relational health. To learn more or explore partnership opportunities, contact us today. If you're already a partner and want to share resources, visit the Early Relational Health Portal.