HealthySteps

Building a strong foundation for healthy child development

By partnering child development experts with pediatricianswe identify challenges early and prevent others from happening, so that young children have a strong foundation for a lifetime of healthy development, learning, and growth.

8 years

since HealthySteps at Children’s National was first launched

3 sites

active in Anacostia, THEARC, and Columbia Heights

554

engaged physicians, clinicians and support staff

13,797

children and 13,693 parents served

learn about healthysteps

About HealthySteps

Led by the Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN) team, HealthySteps embeds mental health specialists within pediatric primary care clinics. These specialists provide support during routine doctor visits for children from birth to age 3.

The program identifies developmental challenges early to establish foundations for long-term health. HealthySteps Specialists work alongside pediatricians to deliver:

Behavioral health intervention sessions

Promoting early childhood development

Positive parenting guidance

Services are available during well-child and immunization visits, with additional telehealth options for families who prefer virtual care. HealthySteps also offers virtual parent support groups specifically designed to teach strategies for supporting child development. The goal: make maternal mental health supports more accessible at a time when mothers need them— during the first few months after giving birth.

Impact on families

Multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial at Children's National Columbia Heights pediatric clinic. HealthySteps Specialist Dr. Marta Genovez is a clinical psychologist providing integrated behavioral health services to caregivers and young children, partnering with pediatricians using an early relational health framework.

At Sofia's two-month check, she was losing weight. The pediatrician began medical work-up and introduced Dr. Genovez due to Rosa's post-partum anxiety. Sofia missed appointments due to childcare access, transportation barriers, housing instability, and maternal mental health concerns.

Dr. Genovez stayed in contact with Rosa, coordinated appointments, partnered with the pediatrician, and referred Rosa for mental health support. She collaborated with social work for transportation, childcare, diapers, and food pharmacy connection. During visits, Dr. Genovez focused on relational health while the pediatrician addressed Sofia's medical care.

This collaborative, family-centered approach transforms care by addressing caregiver mental health and social drivers while considering each family's unique needs. The partnership between pediatricians and HealthySteps Specialist strengthens comprehensive care, building strong foundations for patients and families.

*Family name has been changed for the purposes of sharing this story

future plans

The bridge between the pediatric clinic and its providers and the parents, children and families.

We provide families and caregivers with services that help to support the family’s health and well-being.

We will continue to integrate mental health clinicians in primary care.

Focusing on the caregiver and their mental health helps support the well-being of the child and her/his development.

Through a new collaboration with the Children’s National Community Core program, HealthySteps will support families who are navigating the early intervention process, provide developmental information, parental support, and connections to recommended community services/resources

Key Publications and Presentations

Brooks, K. (March 31-April 2, 2025) HealthySteps: A Pediatric Practice Based Intervention. Panel Discussion, Children's Hospital Association: Transforming Quality Conference . Orlando, FL.

Brooks, K., Addison, N., Tooley, L., Caballero, M. (July 29-August 1, 2024) Lecture Session: Effectively and Efficiently Linking Families to Early Intervention Services Using the HealthySteps Family Services Coordinator (FSC). Zero to Three National Learn Conference Long Beach CA.

Robertson, H.A., Morris, S., Charlot-Swilley, D., Brooks, K., Kiker, L. & Le, H.N. (2023, October). Development of an online fidelity form for a virtual wellness group for African American mothers with young children during COVID-19. Paper presented at the Marce of North America Perinatal Mental Health Conference, Alexandria, VA.

Green, O., Robertson, H.A., Feldman-Schwartz, T., Kiker, L., Deshukh, S., MOrris, S., Brooks, K., Genovez, M. Golomb, L. Charlot-Swilley, D., Boogaard, C., Nash, J., Bodrick, N., Le, H.N. (2022 April) Examining the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Virtual Wellness Group for African American Mothers during COVID-19. Poster presented at the George Washington University Research Day conference, Washington, D.C.

Deshmukh, S., Robertson, H., Genovez, M., Feldman-Schwartz, T., Green, O., Kiker, L., Morris, S., Brooks, K., Charlot-Swilley, D., Golomb, L., Danielson, A., Boogaard, C., Nash, J., Bodrick, N., Le, H.N. (2022, September). The Acceptability and Feasibility of a Texting Program Embedded in a Virtual Wellness Group for African American Mothers. Poster presented at the International Marce’ Virtual Conference.

Brooks, K.M., Charlot-Swilley, D., Robertson, H.A., Bodrick, N., Danielson, A.L., Genovez, M., Boogaard, C., Morris, S., Deshmukh, S., Kiker, L., A Judgement-Free Zone.”: Adaptation and Pilot Study of a Virtual Wellness Group for African American Mothers with Young Children. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21, 390. https:/doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040390

Le, H-N, Brooks K, Danielson, A, Robertson H, Genovez M, Charlot-Swilley D, Golomb L, Morris S, Green O, Feldman-Schwartz T, Deshmukh S, Boogaard C, Nash J, Bodrick N. Examining the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Virtual Wellness Group for African American Mothers during COVID-19. Symposium paper: Society for Prevention Research (SPR). June 2022.

Le, H.N., Brooks, K., Danielson, A. (2021). The HealthySteps Mom’s Virtual Wellness Group, Participant and Facilitator Manuals. George Washington University