The key to our success lies in a shared vision and joined forces.

The Annual Help Me Grow National Forum, hosted by the National Center, is an opportunity for affiliates and partners to network and create new partnerships. Each year, the event provides increasing national visibility of the Network’s collective efforts and accomplishments and solicits promising ideas and innovations from across the Network. Distinguished speakers facilitate and contribute to general sessions, panel discussions, and keynote addresses, offering insight into the direction and aspirations within the field of early childhood health and system building.

Help Me Grow Forum 2020 | Indianapolis, Indiana

Canceled: 11th Annual Help Me Grow Forum
Indianapolis, IN | May 11-13, 2020

Increasingly, states are declaring public health emergencies in an effort to draw down resources for prevention, risk mitigation, and containment strategies related to COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneously, travel restrictions are limiting opportunities for potential Forum attendees to either make or confirm travel arrangements for out-of-state events.

As a result, the Help Me Grow National Center has made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2020 HMG National Forum. We have worked with the venue and host state to assess the feasibility of postponing the Forum to a date later in 2020. As of right now, this does not seem to be a possibility.

Attendees that have registered for the Forum will be contacted by National Center staff with information on how to secure a full refund of their registration. We are mindful of the additional travel costs affiliates and partners have incurred, and are relieved to see the introduction of ‘no-fee cancellations’ on flight reservations from the majority of airline carriers.

For additional information or questions about the 2020 HMG National Forum, please contact Cassandra Therriault.

Help Me Grow Forum 2019 | Buffalo, New York

10th Annual Help Me Grow Forum
Buffalo, NY | May 6 – 8, 2019

The 10^th Annual Help Me Grow National Forum was held in Buffalo, NY and sponsored by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation in partnership with Help Me Grow Western New York.

2019 Forum Highlights

keynote speakers

Angela Santomero
Dr. Mona Hana-Attisha

BUFFALO Site visits

Jericho Road Community Health Center
Family Help Center Daycare
John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital
2-1-1 Western New York Call Center

Thank you to all who attended the 10^th Annual Help Me Grow National Forum in Buffalo, NY, with a special appreciation for the contributions of our host affiliate, Help Me Grow Western New York, the Forum Planning Committee, and all affiliates sharing expertise.

We were honored to be joined by two keynote speakers. Angela Santomero, the co-creator of Blue’s Clues and visionary for research-based children’s programming, and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the pediatrician whose research exposed the Flint water crisis, provided the audience with their compelling experiences and perspectives for supporting children’s optimal health and development.