DAY ONE

The DAY ONE project, an early intervention and parenting education program, was first developed in 1984 by New Horizons for Learning, a non-profit, international human resource network based in Seattle, Washington. It is based upon the work of researchers in neonatal education in the United States. The mission of Day One in West Virginia is to improve the health, education and economic status of the state by ensuring a healthy start in life for babies. DAY ONE is an investment in West Virginia’s children and families and is based on sound research and has been evaluated as an effective program.

The Healthcare Education Foundation, a subsidiary of the West Virginia Hospital Association (WVHA) is the home for the project, with primary funding for the DAY ONE program provided through grants from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Tobacco Prevention. WVHA’s goal is make the DAY ONE program available to all hospitals and other provider sites in West Virginia. DAY ONE is offered in many hospitals, through various departments, to educate parents about the tremendous potential of their newborn babies. It helps new parents to become their child’s first teacher, so their baby will become a successful learner.

Research shows that the greatest opportunity to build a better brain exists in the first few years of life and depends on appropriate and loving stimulation. DAY ONE is designed to teach parents about this critical period of infant development and encourages parent/child interaction. Through very simple actions and appropriate interventions, parents can increase the learning ability of their infants.

Although the core of the DAY ONE program focuses on brain development, other parenting concerns are addressed. Enhancements to this program include providing new parents with information about various infant/child health and safety issues and resources that may be available to them. Some topics addressed include:

• The dangers of smoking in the home and exposing children to environmental tobacco smoke
• Early literacy
• Nutrition
• Car seat and seat belt safety
• Shaken Baby Syndrome
• Immunizations
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Day care services
• Other issues and resources

The West Virginia Hospital Association and the Day One program strives to work collaboratively with other organizations, agencies and individuals to partner with to work for West Virginia’s children. Please contact us for more information.

Cinny Kittle
Project Director

West Virginia Hospital Association
100 Association Drive
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 344-9744