Children in Denver County are at an increased risk for health, developmental, behavioral and social problems as compared to other Colorado counties. To address the issue, Denver's Best Babies Initiative (DBBI) was created in July 1999 by Mayor Wellington Webb and Denver Health and Hospital Authority to optimize the cognitive, emotional and physical health and development of young children in Denver, but particularly those afflicted by the challenges of living in communities of poverty.
The comprehensive picture of DBBI:
- Intensive support - home visitation/case management to women/families at highest risk for pregnancy and parenting outcomes.
- First time moms: the Nurse-Family Partnership program sends specially trained nurses on weekly or bi-weekly visits to low-income, first-time mothers starting as early as possible in pregnancy (no later than the 28th week) and continuing until their children's second birthdays. Under this voluntary program, nurses help mothers improve their health and nutrition during pregnancy, learn effective early parenting skills, and reach goals like completing school and finding employment.