Expanding the Family Check-Up in Early Childhood to Promote Cardiovascular Health of Mothers and Young Children

Family Check-Up Heart consists of the Family Check up with an added heart health component. The Family Check-Up Heart assessment will include evaluations of maternal cardiovascular health; specifically, measurement of maternal blood pressure, body mass index, diet quality, exercise, and smoking, which will be included in the feedback session. After the Feedback Session participants will also receive information about healthy eating and weight loss, stress management, and smoking and to monitor weight and blood pressure.

"The Family Check-Up typically takes place over the course of 3-5 sessions, each about an hour long. First, a trained Family Check-Up family coach will conduct an Initial Interview. Second is an assessment of that includes questionnaires and videotaped interaction tasks. Third, during the Feedback Session, the family coach discusses with the participant strengths and challenges for their child and family as a whole. They then set goals for their family to support and maintain strengths, and to address any areas of concern. After the Feedback Session families have the option to continue meeting with their family coach to support the child's development and improve parental well-being."