Better Brains for Babies was formed in 1998 in order to share new research on early brain development with the people of Georgia in order to “maximize Georgia’s brain power.” Fourteen public and private Georgia organizations interested in improving child outcomes formed a collaboration team to guide the Better Brains for Babies initiative.

Training Trainers: The First Cycle

In the first phase of Better Brains for Babies, a core group of approximately 300 people were trained on the science of early brain development and its application to optimal child development. The training was modeled after, and used the curriculum of, the Starting Points Initiative in Florida. Each trainer made a commitment to share the brain development information with at least four other organizations in Georgia.

In 2002, Diane Bales from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and Cathy Campbell from the Georgia State University School of Nursing worked together to update the Florida training materials to reflect the latest brain development research. Active trainers attended an update and received the new materials, and about 150 additional trainers were trained. Trainers shared brain development information with parents, grandparents, child care providers, health care professionals, community leaders, and local decision-makers.

Developing an Interactive Flash Presentation

Beginning in 2004, the Better Brains for Babies leadership team undertook a major revision and expansion of our training materials. The revision updated the information on brain development to reflect recent advances in scientific understanding of brain development, and added four “application” chapters to the training manual. The application chapters (Physical Well-Being, Attachment, Play, and Consistency) help trainers connect the science of early brain development with the specific ways that adults can support children’s developing brains. The revision also improved the “look” of the presentation materials by adding interactive graphics in a Flash format. The new training materials also include a professionally-designed Trainer’s Guide with background information and key points for each slide.

The Flash presentation was debuted at a series of Better Brains for Babies Premieres during the fall of 2006. Professionals across the state were invited to a half-day session to preview the new presentation materials. Attendees at the premieres were encouraged to invite qualified people to apply to be BBB trainers.

Training Trainers: The Second Cycle

In 2007, approximately 150 trainers attended two-day train-the-trainer workshops on the new materials. Those trainers form the core group of current BBB trainers. The group includes some people trained in the earlier cycles of training, as well as many new trainers. Additional train-the-trainer workshops are scheduled as funding becomes available.

Other Successes

In addition to the trainer materials and train-the-trainer workshops, Better Brains for Babies has developed a color brochure in English and Spanish and a website with in-depth information and resources on brain development. BBB brochures are on display in examining rooms of many pediatricians’ offices and a variety of waiting rooms across Georgia. Brochures are also included with calendars distributed by the First Steps initiative nationwide. Members of the Better Brains for Babies leadership team have presented workshops and exhibits at various state, regional, and national conferences. Media coverage of BBB events and activities has reached over 4.8 million viewers and readers.

Funders

We are grateful to a variety of funders who make the work of Better Brains for Babies possible. The current work of Better Brains for Babies is supported primarily by funds provided by Georgia’s Federal CBCAP grant, administered by the Georgia Children’s Trust Fund Commission. The BBB initiative began with two years of funding from the Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health. During the early phase of the initiative, we also received funding from the Georgia Child Care Council, the Office of School Readiness, and Family Connection. Funding for the November 2007 train-the-trainer workshop was provided by the Georgia Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems grant.