Meeting parents where they are: Baby Matters brings parenting support into communities

The initiative, adopted from the University of the West Indies' Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CAIHR), is being implemented through a partnership between the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) and Project STAR. It targets parents and caregivers of children from birth to three years old, equipping them with skills to promote healthy early childhood development, language acquisition and positive parenting practices.

A key feature of the programme's current phase is its shift from traditional health centre-based delivery to community spaces, making it more accessible to families.

Jonelle Llewellyn, research associate at the VPA, said the community-based approach is helping to remove barriers to participation while creating supportive environments where parents can learn from one another.

"By bringing Baby Matters into communities, we are meeting parents where they are. This approach makes it easier for caregivers to participate while fostering peer support and encouraging practical learning that can be applied immediately at home," she said.

The programme uses simple, interactive learning tools, including short videos and guided activities on playing with children, making toys from everyday household items and creating positive mealtime experiences. The lessons are designed to help caregivers strengthen their children's cognitive, emotional and language development through everyday interactions.

According to Llewellyn, participants have responded positively to the programme's practical approach.

"Parents have shared that the activities are easy to understand, relatable and simple to incorporate into their daily routines. These small, intentional interactions can make a significant difference in a child's development during the critical early years," she explained.

The programme reached an important milestone this quarter with the delivery of Baby Matters training books from CAIHR to participating community sites. The implementation period has also included programme monitoring, quality assurance and structured data collection to assess delivery and outcomes.

Parent reflection surveys are being administered to measure changes in caregivers' knowledge, confidence and parenting practices, providing valuable insights into the programme's impact.

Looking ahead, Llewellyn said discussions are underway with the Ministry of Health and Wellness regarding a formal partnership that could significantly expand the programme's reach and strengthen its long-term sustainability.

The VPA researcher said another priority is to build community ownership of the initiative.

"As we move beyond the first phase, our focus is on developing a community-level training manual that will empower local facilitators to continue delivering Baby Matters independently. Building local capacity is essential to ensuring the programme has a lasting impact on children and families," she said.

Baby Matters forms part of ongoing efforts by the VPA and Project STAR to strengthen families, promote positive parenting and improve developmental outcomes for Jamaica's youngest children through evidence-based interventions.