When we hear that some one is expecting a baby, we wait for the next big announcement: girl or boy. Sadly for one of every four babies the next announcement is about a death from miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death. (World Health Organization 2013) WAIT - PLEASE! Do not turn away. We can save more babies. When we fail, there is still healing that can happen for the grieving parents, families, and clinicians. The United States infant mortality is among the worst in the industrialized world. (CDC, 2013) I met a hospital bereavement counselor the same month my son was born (another...

Blocks are one of the first toys for most American children. As an early childhood teacher of over twenty five years, I can not count how many building blocks I have helped to stack, sort, count, name, knock over and pick up. They are a fundamental piece to the foundation for lifelong learning. Through block playing children learn how to play cooperatively; how to plan strategically; how to take responsibility; and how they can hurt if not used carefully. Currently the United States, and my home state of Pennsylvania, is trying to assemble the necessary building blocks for a sustainable...

As schools open for the new school year all across Pennsylvania, local leaders, educators, families and friends of early learning are showing their support to increase access to high quality pre-k for all the state's 3 and 4 year olds. Have you joined the PreK for PA movement? Click here: www.prekforpa.org . West Chester Mayor Comitta and county leaders visit a local preschool, highlighting the need for high-quality pre-k before the first day of kindergarten. On Thursday morning, August 21 , Pre-K for PA joined Mayor Carolyn Comitta, Chester County leaders, and educators at the West Chester...

Earlier this week over 30 national patient safety advocates signed a letter to Congressional delegates urging that a Congressional Committee on Patient Safety and a National Patient Safety Board be created. Each one of us that signed the letter are a member of Consumers' Union Safe Patient Project. Their press release is here: http://safepatientproject.org/press_release/patient-safety-advocates-urg... You can read the full text of the letter here: http://www.jamessproject.com/wordpress/patient-safety-call-congress/ TODAY at 10AM there is a Senate Subcommittee Hearing on Patient Safety. John T...

Pennsylvania babies need your help today! Please call your Pennsylvania legislator today asking for a concurrence vote on HB 1420 before they recess for the summer. You will be saving lives.