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Special Olympics Child and Family Health
A holistic approach to Early Childhood Development
What is Child & Family Health (CFH)?
Special Olympics Child & Family Health is a holistic approach that uses child intervention, family education, and community health components to positively impact the development of children with and without intellectual disabilities, ages 2 – 7 years.

There are three key components to CFH implementation:

Child Intervention

Delivered through Young Athletes programming

Family Education & Support

Met through Family Health Forums

Community Health

Upheld through the Healthy Young Athletes Pediatric screening
The CFH model is built on a simple but powerful rhythm—8-4-1:
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Eight Weeks of Young Athletes Activities

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Four Family Health Forum Sessions

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One Healthy Young Athletes Pediatric Screening

Programs that implement CFH identify a cohort, or group, of families to participate in all 3 components together throughout a minimum of 8-weeks. This builds a support network and connection amongst families and introduces them to all Special Olympics has to offer.

Learn more below to see how foundational Special Olympics Early Childhood programming works together to create the Child & Family Health model.

If Your Program Already:

Facilitates Young Athletes, hosts Family Health Forums, and has held at least one Healthy Young Athletes screening, this model could be a perfect way to support programming growth and retention in your area!

Child Intervention

Young Athletes

Young Athletes is the foundation of CFH child intervention. Implementation basics include:
  • Programming runs for a minimum of 8 weeks, with sessions lasting 45–60 minutes, held 1 to 3 times per week.
  • Activities can take place indoors or outdoors, in school or community settings, and may conclude with a celebration event.
*If your Program is already hosting consistent Young Athletes, it can help to reach out to those locations to facilitate families also participating in FHFs and HYA screening.
Family Education & Support

Family Health Forums

Family Health Forums (FHF) are 60 – 90 minute events that offer health education, support, and resources to families and caregivers. Family engagement in CFH involves the following:
  • Programs host at least four forums—two on required topics (Nutrition and Parenting with a Purpose) and two that are chosen from optional health topics.
  • FHFs can be implemented in-person, virtually, or using a hybrid approach.
  • In addition to forums, family engagement within CFH should continue through ongoing connection with families. Examples include:
    • Encouraging families to connect directly between sessions on the Young Athletes app or their preferred messaging tool (e.g. WhatsApp, Facebook messenger, etc.).
    • Leading a Fit Families & Friends fitness challenge.
    • Creating a local Family Leadership Council to encourage families to become leaders and advocates for health and inclusion.
Community Health

Healthy Young Athletes (HYA) Pediatric Screening

As part of CFH, children and families will go through one full Healthy Young Athletes Screening. This event will be:
  • Led by a trained Clinical Director with pediatric and family care expertise, supported by health professional volunteers.
  • Designed for flexibility. Screenings can be delivered in school or community settings, or at large Healthy Athletes events to support Young Athletes participants.
  • Comprised of three core components (pre-screening survey, screening events, referrals and follow up) and tailored to support early childhood health and development.
*Families going through the screening also participate in Young Athletes programming and Family Health Forums, so the network of support is present throughout.

A Cohort Model

Families participate in the model as part of a cohort - the same group of children and families engaging with the components on the same timeline. This structure helps build a support network amongst families, increases consistent engagement, and is central to how CFH works.

What are the benefits of implementing CFH?
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Data from the initial pilot of the CFH model showed several areas of increase and improvement. Data was collected from over 1,300 participants across four countries—India, Pakistan, Egypt, and South Africa.
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Data showed improvements in communication , daily living skills, and motor skills, along with enhanced social development and relationships and decreases in challenging behaviors. Additionally, caregivers improved in their empowerment and efficacy.
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The CFH model introduces families to all Special Olympics has to offer in early childhood. Following participation in the model, the goal is to have families engage and enroll in ongoing programming throughout the year and continue their lifelong journey with Special Olympics.
Ready for next steps? Choose the path that makes sense for your Program!
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Check Readiness

Assess whether your Program is ready to implement CFH in your area, by completing the CFH READINESS QUESTIONNAIRE.
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Enroll in Training

Enroll in the Introduction to Child & Family Health eLearning module at elearn.specialolympics.org to learn more about each component, how to sustainably fund the model in your Program, and implementation strategies.
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Contact the ECD Team

Reach out to the Special Olympics Early Childhood Development team at ecd@specialolympics.org with questions or to set up a call.