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About Our Partners
From national organizations to local programs, our partners help spread the word and bring the “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program’s important messages and tools to families everywhere.
Act Early Ambassadors
CDC’s Act Early Ambassadors expand the reach of the “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program and support their respective state or territory’s work toward improving early identification of developmental delays and disabilities, including autism. They collaborate with organizations to integrate developmental monitoring with “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” messages and materials into local communities and statewide systems that serve families with young children.
List of Act Early Ambassadors (2022) »
Ambassador Bios [2 MB, 28 Pages, Print Only]
National Partners
CDC would like to thank the following national partners for their involvement in and contributions to the “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program:
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
The Administration for Children and Families, an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, promotes the economic and social well-being of children, families, individuals and communities with leadership and resources for compassionate, effective delivery of human services.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
AAP is an organization of 66,000 pediatricians committed to the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP)
AMCHP is a national resource, partner and advocate for state public health leaders and others working to improve the health of women, children, youth and families, including those with special health care needs.
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
AUCD advances policies and practices that improve the health, education, social, and economic well-being of all people with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and their communities by supporting their members in research, education, health, and service activities that achieve our vision..
Autism Science Foundation
The Autism Science Foundation’s mission is to support autism research by providing funding and other assistance to scientists and organizations conducting, facilitating, publicizing and disseminating autism research.
Autism Society
Autism Society provides free information and referral services for parents, an interactive website, educational and scientific conferences, and legislative advocacy for services and funding for research.
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. This includes advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
Bright Futures
Bright Futures is a national health promotion initiative dedicated to the principle that every child deserves to be healthy and that optimal health involves a trusting relationship between the health professional, the child, the family, and the community as partners in health practice.
Child Care Aware of America
Child Care Aware® of America works with more than 400 state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies nationwide. Child Care Aware helps families and providers locate child care resources in their communities across the United States.
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
Funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, US Department of Education, the ECTA Center provides technical assistance to support programs that serve young children with disabilities and their families, birth to five years.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
HRSA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary federal agency for improving health care to people who are geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable.
Help Me Grow
The mission of the Help Me Grow National Center is to enable and support the building of HMG systems across the country so that states can implement effective, universal, early surveillance and screening for all children and link those at risk for developmental and behavioral problems to appropriate programs and services.
Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education
The mission of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is to lead the nation’s efforts to improve outcomes for children with disabilities, birth through 21, and their families, ensuring access to fair, equitable, and high-quality education and services.
Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC, a program of the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Zero to Three
The mission of Zero to Three is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. They provide science-based information and tools designed to help parents and caregivers nurture their young children’s development.
Local Partners and Program Champions
We would also like to thank the many local and regional partners – from health care professionals to child care providers to parents – who continue to dedicate their time and resources to help educate people about the importance of monitoring developmental milestones in children.