The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has released the third and final report of its Behavioral Health Environmental Scan. The new report focuses on prevention of child maltreatment. It offers 17 recommendations to help reach the goal that all Mat-Su children should be well cared for and safe.
The report focuses on five evidence-based protective factors that are key to the development of a system that keeps children safe and well cared-for. Among the recommendations are the following: creating a community where it is easy for all parents to build supportive relationships with other parents, seniors, and other residents; promoting affordable, high quality child care, afterschool care, and home-visiting programs; supporting the development of parenting classes; filling the gaps in the behavioral health system and increasing access to information and existing programs through a central resource center; promoting integrated physical and mental health care; supporting universal access to early learning and preschool programs; and promoting social emotional learning for all Mat-Su children. The entire community has a role in this system, including employers, churches, schools, medical providers, and individuals, and the entire community benefits as well.
The Mat-Su Health Foundation and its community partners are currently evaluating the report’s 17 recommendations to determine next steps to implementation.
Contact: Robin Minard
Phone: 907.352.2892
Email: rminard@healthymatsu.org