​
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
  • For information and guidance for health care professionals regarding COVID-19, click here​. 
  • For a list of frequently asked questions related to COVID-19 (including information related to 
    well-visits), click here. 
  • For families​, visit HealthyChildren.org​.
Bright Futures

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Bright Futures is a national health promotion and prevention initiative, led by the American Academy of Pediatrics and supported, in part, by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)​, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB)​. The Bright Futures Guidelines provide theory-based and evidence-driven guidance for all preventive care screenings and well-child visits. Bright Futures content can be incorporated into many public health programs such as home visiting, child care, school-based health clinics, and many others. Materials developed especially for families are also available.​  

 Features
  • For Professionals

    • Bright Futures Implementation Tip Sheets

      These NEW and UPDATED tip sheets offer practical advice to help you integrate the Bright Futures approach, tools and resources into your daily practice.Learn more

    • Bright Futures Tool and Resource Kit, 2nd Edition NEW!

      Completely updated Toolkit corresponding with the Bright Futures Guidelines, 4th Edition, with key documents that work as an integrated system to assist a health care professional carry out an efficient Bright Futures health supervision visit.Learn more

    • Bright Futures Guidelines

      At your fingertips, this manual provides the most respected recommendations for the top 12 areas of child development in 1 volume, along with the most up-to-date well-child supervision standards by visit. PDF versions are now available for reference.Learn more

    • Medical Screening Reference Tables

      The tables provide an easy-to-use reference table for each Bright Futures well-child visit. Each table compiles the relevant history, risk assessment questions, and action to take if the risk assessment shows a positive result.Learn more

    • Bright Futures Webinars

      Make sure to sign up for the latest Bright Futures webinars beginning in April 2017. Learn about the revised and updated Bright Futures Guidelines, 4th Edition from the editors themselves. Learn more

    • Bright Futures EQIPP Courses

      These courses are designed to help physicians interpret the Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children and Adolescents into everyday practice, with practical suggestions for implementation.Learn more

    • Implementing Bright Futures in Public Health

      Professionals can hear recorded audio stories of Bright Futures implementations and read highlights of how Bright Futures is being used by state agencies as the standard for well-child care and as essential content throughout many public health programs. Learn more

    • Performing Preventive Services

      Designed to accompany Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 3rd Edition, this manual provides effective ways to deliver the preventive services that are suggested in the Guidelines.Learn more
  • For Families

    • The Well-Child Visit: Why Go and What to Expect

      This NEW handout, The Well-Child Visit: Why Go and What to Expect, helps families prepare for their regular check-ups. This tip sheet is available in English and Spanish.Learn more

    • Bright Futures Activity Book—Available in English and Spanish

      To encourage parent-child interaction, the Bright Futures Activity Book provides a fun, informative, and interactive overview of the 10 themes from the Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 3rd Edition.Learn more

 Highlights and Announcements

  • June 2, 2020

    Webinar: Racial Health Inequities During COVID-19 
    Watch the latest AAP COVID-19 webinar for pediatricians, ​A Framework to Approach Racial Health Inequities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. ​

  • June 2, 2020

    New Webinar Series - Making Connections: The Critical Role of Family-centered Care in Addressing Social Determinants of Health for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)

    Episode 1: Thursday, June 18, 2020 | 10am - 11am CT | Register Here! 

    Episode 2: Tuesday, June 23, 2020 | 10am - 11am CT | Register Here! 

    The National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home (NRC-PFCMH), in partnership with the Bright Futures National Center and the Screening, Technical Assistance, and Resource (STAR) Center, is hosting a 2-part educational webinar series, Making Connections: The Critical Role of Family-Centered Care in Addressing Social Determinants of Health for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN). 

    The goal of the series is to provide state Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH)/CYSHCN programs, pediatricians, families, and others with information about the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on CYSHCN. The series will discuss the role of these groups and state systems in addressing SDOH for CYSHCN by using components of the medical home model. ​

    View more information about the series here. 

  • June 2, 2020

    New Podcast Episode - Pediatric CARE: Childhood Adversity and Resilience Education 

    The Addressing Social Health and Early Childhood Wellness (ASHEW) collaborative launched a new episode in their Pediatric CARE: Childhood Adversity and Resiliency Education podcast series. This new episode discusses different avenues to address social determinants of health and how one pediatrician created a business that has left a lasting impact by feeding hungry families and lessons learned along the way. You can find the series on iTunes, Google Play or SoundCloud. Search "STAR Center" or "Pediatric Care." Visit the STAR Center for more resources on addressing social determinants of health, maternal depression, and child development. 

  • June 2, 2020

    New Social Media Campaign: #CallYourPediatrician

    Using humor and real-world conversations, the AAP has launched the #CallYourPediatrician campaign, which aims to reach parents with timely reminders that going to the pediatrician, even during COVID-19, is important and safe.

    The campaign website has everything you need to share on your own platforms and networks. The website includes sample texts, videos and photos sized for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

    All posts should include the hashtag #CallYourPediatrician.​

  • June 2, 2020

    New Issue Brief Resource for Title V/MCH Programs - Bright Futures: How Title V Programs Evolve from Guidelines to Action

    The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) published an issue brief in April 2020 titled "Bright Futures: How Title V Programs Evolve from Guidelines to Action." This resource highlights how Wyoming, North Carolina, and Mississippi are leveraging the Bright Futures Guidelines, 4th Edition and related resources to advance their National Performance Measures. A review of their state action plans indicates that these states are using the Bright Futures Guidelines, 4th Edition in three key ways:

    • As the evidence-driven national standard for primary clinical care for children and adolescents 
    • To inform quality improvement activities
    • As a workforce development tool

    Click here to access the April 2020 issue brief.  

    The April 2020 issue brief supplements an AMCHP issue brief published in April 2018, which provides a crosswalk showing how the Bright Futures Guidelines, 4th Edition correlate with the National Performance Measures for programs that serve children and families under federal Title V grants. Click here to access the April 2018 issue brief. 

  • May 11, 2020

    New Podcast Episode: Telehealth for Obesity Care During COVID-19

    In this bonus episode of Conversations About Care, Dr. Sandy Hassink speaks with three colleagues about how obesity care is being adapted and delivered during these unprecedented times. The podcast will explore our guests' experiences and lessons learned as they adapt to delivering care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sarah Armstrong, MD, FAAP will begin by sharing her experiences implementing telehealth for the first time. Then, Sarah Hampl, MD, FAAP will share stories about how they have leveraged telehealth as part of obesity treatment previously and how they are leveraging it during COVID-19. Finally, Victoria Rogers, MD, FAAP shares stories about some innovations and opportunities they have identified for obesity prevention and treatment.

    ,Listen Here: https://ihcw.aap.org/Pages/Podcast.aspx

  • May 8, 2020

    Upcoming Webinar: Promoting Optimal Development: Identifying Infants and Young Children with Developmental Disorders through Developmental Surveillance and Screening
    ​

    Don't miss this month's free Pediatric Care Online (PCO) webinar:

    Promoting Optimal Development: Identifying Infants and Young Children With Developmental Disorders Through Developmental Surveillance and Screening

    Friday, May 22, 2020 | 1:00 - 2:00 pm EDT

    We invite you to join us on Friday, May 22, at 1:00 pm EDT when Paul Lipkin, MD, FAAP and Michelle M. Macias, MD, FAAP discuss the new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical report Promoting Optimal Development: Identifying Infants and Young Children With Developmental Disorders Through Developmental Surveillance and Screening. Learning objectives of this webinar include:

    • Summarize the recommended steps for effective developmental surveillance and screening, including screening tools, diagnosis, and referral.
    • Identify components of developmental surveillance including communication with other professionals.
    • Identify AAP partner initiatives and resources available to assist with implementation of developmental screening, referral, and follow-up.

  • May 8, 2020

    Upcoming Webinar: Food Insecurity & Growing Concerns During COVID-19

    ​​Date: May 11, 2020 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET 

    This webinar will bring together experts to provide insights on the longstanding issues surrounding food insecurity in the United States and how these issues have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers will discuss:

    • The evolution of food insecurity in the US and how it impacts many vulnerable communities
    • How a national hunger relief organization is responding to the crisis and building partnerships to help communities secure the resources they need
    • A health plan's commitment to addressing food insecurity and how they are responding to the needs of their community

  • April 21, 2020

    Pediatric Pipeline Innovation Program - Request for Applications

    Application deadline: 5:00pm CT Friday, May 8, 2020

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is seeking applications for a new Pediatric Pipeline Innovation Program to increase interest in pediatrics, especially among those who are under-represented in medicine (URM). Through mini-grants to medical schools or organizations working to improve the health careers pipeline, the AAP will help support the design and execution of pediatric pipeline activities to be piloted. These activities could be for primary school, high school, undergraduate students or for medical students themselves. Up to $3,000 of grant funds are available per funded site (five in total). For more information and to submit an application, please visit https://form.jotform.com/Subspecialty/PedPipelineInnovation. Questions can be directed to Lauren Barone, Senior Manager, Pediatric Practice and Workforce, at lbarone@aap.org. Funding is supported by the AAP Friends of Children Fund.​

  • April 17, 2020

    Upcoming PCO Webinar: Understanding Changes to the 2020 Immunization Schedule and How Implementation May Be Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic

    Don't miss this month's free Pediatric Care Online (PCO) webinar:

    Understanding Changes to the 2020 Immunization Schedule and How Implementation May Be Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic

    Thursday, April 30, 2020 

    12:00 - 1:00 pm EDT

    We invite you to join us on Thursday, April 30, at 12:00 pm EDT when Lilly Immergluck, MD, MS, FAAP discusses the 2020 child and adolescent immunization schedule. Objectives of this webinar include:

    • Key epidemiology facts related to vaccine preventable conditions in 2020
    • Understanding changes in Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger, 2020
    • Schedule changes consideration during the COVID-19 pandemic

    To view the webinar on Thursday, April 30, please click here or use the following url: https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1289107&tp_key=153ee8895a ​

  • April 17, 2020

    New Podcast Episode: Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight "Conversations about Care"

    In this conversation Dr. Hassink is joined by Jennifer Groos, MD, FAAP who is a lead physician for 5210 Health Care projects at United Way of Central Iowa and the Iowa Medical Society. Dr. Groos also serves as Lead Faculty for the Childhood Obesity in Primary Care quality improvement project. They discuss the importance of Weight for Length (WFL) measurements, tracking WFL with regard to obesity, when to intervene, and more.

    Click here to listen to the episode. ​

  • April 13, 2020

    Applications are now being accepted for a continuity clinic project on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

    Improving Continuity of Care for Children and Families Affected by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Program is recruiting up to nine (9) pediatric continuity clinics to participate in a 4-month pilot project to teach residents to recognize the signs of and implement plans of care for children with an FASD. Applications are now being accepted for Improving Continuity of Care for Children and Families Affected by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, an effort to implement a resident-focused curriculum designed to introduce the future pediatric workforce to key components of FASDs most relevant to the primary care setting. The overarching goal of this project is to engage pediatric residents participating in primary care continuity clinics to categorize the conditions within the continuum of FASDs and understand their prevalence. Participants will learn to recognize the neurodevelopmental phenotype associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, to understand the importance of screening all patients for a history of prenatal alcohol exposure , and to recognize the role that social attitudes have in supporting families affected by parental substance use. Up to 9 continuity clinics will be chosen to participate in a 4-month project from October 2020 – January 2021.

    Interested pediatric practices are encouraged to review a detailed project description with additional information, requirements and expectations. Priority will be given to practice teams that complete the online application by Friday, June 5, 2020. 

    Participating pediatricians will have the opportunity to earn continuing medical education points and maintenance of certification part 2 credit.​

    Contact Josh Benke (630/626-0681 | jbenke@aap.org) or Rachel Daskalov, MHA (rdaskalov@aap.org | 630/626-6063) for more information.

  • April 9, 2020

    PCO Webinar: Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Don't miss this month's free Pediatric Care Online (PCO) webinar:

     Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Wednesday, April 22, 2020 | 3:00 - 4:00 pm EDT

    We invite you to join us on Wednesday, April 22, at 3:00 pm EDT when Susan L. Hyman, MD, FAAP and  Susan E. Levy, MD, FAAP discuss the new American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Learning objectives of this webinar include:

    • Describe effective methods for screening and early identification of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in primary care.
    • Report the components of diagnostic and etiological evaluation of children with ASD.
    • Identify evidence-based interventions for the core deficits of ASD and associated co-occurring conditions.
    • Report strategies to engage in shared decision-making and partnership with families/caregivers of children and youth with ASD.

    To view the webinar on Wednesday, April 22, please click here or use the following url: https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1301959&tp_key=293ec5fd6d


  • April 6, 2020

    Three-Part Webinar Series: Intentionally Integrating Equity into SDOH Interventions

    First session: April 7, 2020 | 9am PT/ 12pm ET

    Addressing SDOH or social risks alone cannot be conflated with tackling inequity - and doing so can put interventions at risk of unintentionally perpetuating disparities. In this interactive webinar series, health equity champions from across the country will share their experiences integrating equity into SDOH interventions.

  • April 6, 2020

    Virtual Workshop on Flourishing in Adolescence 

    Date and time: ​May 5, 2020 - 11am - 4pm ET

    The Forum for Children's Well-Being will host a one-day virtual Workshop on Flourishing in Adolescence that will discuss best practices in providing and supporting adolescent health services and key messaging and communication strategies related to adolescent mental, emotional, and behavioral health.
    The workshop will also feature a panel of youth representatives who will share their own experiences related to mental, emotional, and behavioral health.

 BRIGHT FUTURES/AAP PERIODICITY SCHEDULE (UPDATED MARCH 2020)
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Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care in Practice​

 About Bright Futures Video

 CORE PRACTICE TOOLS
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Access Core Tools for Each Well-Child Visit

  • Previsit Questionnaires
  • Visit Documentation Forms
  • Parent/Patient Education Handouts
Learn More

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 Screening Time Online Course


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