Transforming Pediatrics for Early Childhood (TPEC) Program

The Transforming Pediatrics for Early Childhood Program (TPEC) will advance the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities by preventing chronic disease early in life and promoting healthy development in early childhood. TPEC recipients - organizations with statewide or tribal reach - will place early childhood development (ECD) experts in local pediatric practices to deliver team-based care to young children and their families. Recipients will improve the quality and cost effectiveness of pediatric primary care by delivering a comprehensive team-based approach that focuses on factors critical to child development. Through this approach, pediatric primary care staff will: ​Screen families for their needs related to mental health, housing, nutrition, and child development; ​Build safe, stable, and nurturing relationships between caregivers and their children; ​Educate caregivers on developmental milestones and how to watch for them; and ​Make sure that families get referrals and access to additional or specialized support. TPEC recipients will: Place early childhood development (ECD) experts in pediatric practices that primarily serve families covered by Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and deliver high-quality ECD services using a team-based approach.Build the skills of pediatric primary care staff statewide to deliver high-quality ECD services using a team-based approach. Improve statewide administrative policies and financing strategies to expand and sustain team-based pediatric primary care, improving the standard of care for all young children. TPEC will result in measurable improvements in service delivery rates and early childhood development outcomes.