Program History

Help Me Grow was originally developed in Connecticut in 1999 by Dr. Charles Dworkin, Physician-in-Chief, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Dworkin notes that, “children with developmental problems are eluding early detection. Programs exist to help them, but too often we fail to link these children with the resources they need. Help Me Grow is that link.”

Leaders in Early Childhood here in Utah County were thrilled to discover the success of the Help Me Grow model and began the planning stages of implementing the program in Utah in 2008. With considerable help and support from United Way of Utah County and Partners for Infants and Children (PIC), Help Me Grow Utah went live March 2010 and has steadily grown in the past year.

Help Me Grow Utah has received the support of several agencies in Utah County who have seen how Help Me Grow acts as a link to connect parents and children to the resources they need.

In December 2010, Help Me Grow was awarded a grant from the National Help Me Grow Replication Program and as part of the grant receives ongoing technical support to ensure a quality product for parents, providers and our community.

Help Me Grow continues to find great support from many programs and agencies in Utah County. Help Me Grow currently is focusing their efforts in Utah County but is making plans to expand state-wide in the next five years.