Avera Healthy Start: Setting up Families for a Healthy Start

What is a touchpoint?

A child’s brain undergoes rapid development during the first three years of life, making this period crucial for their overall growth. Each new brain connection formed during this time has been referred to as a “touchpoint,” which is why we named our informational webinar series after this important milestone in a child’s development. Through these hour-long, interactive webinars, our goal is to help you create your own touchpoints across South Dakota, contributing to the healthy development of all the state’s children.

Avera Healthy Start: Setting up Families for a Healthy Start

In this session, we will explore Healthy Start, a national initiative dedicated to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Implemented in communities with the greatest health disparities, Healthy Start provides critical services before, during, and after pregnancy. We will highlight the need for programs like Healthy Start in South Dakota, where infant mortality rates have remained unchanged for over a decade and maternal health challenges persist. Attendees will gain insight into how Avera Healthy Start supports families through comprehensive, community-driven solutions—including prenatal education, mental health support, and assistance with essential needs like housing and transportation. This webinar will provide valuable knowledge on how collaborative, evidence-based approaches can create healthier beginnings for families.

Speaker: Jessica Seiler, Clinical Research Supervisor, Avera Research Institute

Jessica Seiler is a Clinical Research Supervisor at the Avera Research Institute in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. With more than eight years of experience in research, she has contributed to large longitudinal studies, clinical trials, and community-based programs. In her current role, Jessica supports the Avera Healthy Start program and its staff to help ensure successful implementation and positive outcomes for participating families. Her professional interests focus on improving health outcomes for children and families.

CEUs: SD Board of Social Work Examiners This organization (University of South Dakota – Provider #1048) is approved as a provider for continuing education by the South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners. Social workers will receive up to 1.0 Continuing Education clock hours for participating in this course.