What is the Child Watch Visitation Program?

COAU110N NEWSLE'I1ER - SUMMER 1992PAGESTATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATChild Watch·Visitation ProgramBy Lisa FeckThe American Association ofRetired Persons and the NationalCOlDlcil ofNegro Women, togetherwith the Coalition for Children, Youth& Families has launched the "ChildWatch" visitation, training and actionprogram in three communities in NewMexico: Albuquerque, Las Crucesand Valencia County. The ChildWatch program is designed toheighten the awareness ofcommunityleaders about the needs and issuesfacing families today by combiningbriefmgs 011 key pUblic policy issueswith visits to effective programs. Forexample, New Mexico ranks last inthe nation in prenatal care. A briefmghighlighting the facts and importanceofprenatal care is combined withvisits to a neonatal intensive care unit,to graphically demonstrate theincreased risk of poor outcomes forinfants whose mothers do not receivecare, and a visit to a well run healthclinic, providing services to pregnantwomen and their children. By linkinginformation to human beings andeffective progt3IIlS or solutions, moreleaders are moved to take action toincrease investment in children, youthand families. Child Watch visitationsalways conclude by focusing onconcrete local actions. For moreinformation can Lisa Feck at theCoalition's office.Child Watch leaders include:AlbuquerqueCarlotta Mitchell, AlbuquerqueChapter, National Council ofNegro WomenEdythe Pierson, AmericanAssociation ofRetired PersonsLas CrucesNina Mervine, National Trainer,American Association ofRetiredPersonsDona Ana Consortium forChildren, Youth and FamiliesValencia CountyJohn S. Aragon, RecruitmentSpecialist, American AssociationofRetired Persons.'..:.":-":'.. :'-..':':'-'."....:;-;. ;.27