Growing Up Strong
To build a healthier community, we must first build healthier generations. Growing Up Strong (GUS) lays the foundation for a healthier future by supporting our littlest locals, and ensures Western New Yorkers grow up strong.
The Growing Up Strong (GUS) program is the newest program to the Independent Health Foundation and was created with the goal of starting young children on the right path to a healthy future. The first five years of a child’s life are the most critical for development, and set the stage for their social, emotional, and physical well-being for decades to come.
Our Foundation recognizes how important these years are for children, and how the people around them play an integral role. The GUS program is poised to not only support children, but also the needs and roles of their parents, caregivers, and pediatricians—all of whom directly impact a child during these years. By coordinating with several local pediatric practices and HealthySteps National, the program offers enhanced child well-visits by incorporating an additional clinician into the pediatric care team, dedicated to offering additional support, guidance, and connection to valuable resources.
By starting with our littlest locals, Independent Health Foundation’s vision of a healthier Western New York can be seen through children who grow up strong!
Building Blocks for a Healthy Future
Every child needs the tools to help build a brighter, healthier, and stronger future. It’s up to us to help.
Safety
Safety first! Every child should grow up with these basic needs: a safe space to live, food, clothing, medical care, and protection from harm.
Education
Education is so important and a child’s first teacher is you! Reading to your child every day prepares them for their first years of school.
Routine
Routine helps to build confidence, healthy habits, and a form a sense of security. This helps your child know what to expect.
Consistency
Consistency is key! When teaching your child, make sure your expectations, wording and goals stay consistent so they’re easier to learn.
Love
Love is all you need. Showing your child love helps to build stronger bonds and can help children to have better social skills and relationships.
Community
Community is where your child will connect, learn and grow from the people around them. It gives them a sense of identity as they get older.
Emotional Support
Emotional support for your little one with BIG feelings! Be an example of how to express your feelings, and make sure your child feels heard, respected, and understood.
Positive Role Models
Positive role modes can be any adult in your child’s life, but parents are the ones children learn their behaviors from and look up to most.
Play on!
Playing with your child builds their confidence and creativity while also supporting their social, emotional, and physical development.
Growing Up Strong partners with HealthySteps™, a national evidence-based program of ZERO TO THREE™, to achieve improved outcomes for babies and toddlers, with an emphasis on families living in low-income communities, by embedding a child development professional into the pediatric primary care team.