About

 About Bright Futures
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If you are new to the Bright Futures Guidelines, this 2-minute video provides information you need to get started using the Bright Futures recommendations in your health promotion and disease prevention practices and with programs and families in your community.

Bright Futures Implementation Goals

The primary goal of Bright Futures implementation is to support primary care practices (medical homes) in providing well-child and adolescent care according to Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents. Settings for Bright Futures implementation include private practices, hospital-based or hospital-affiliated clinics, resident continuity clinics, school-based health centers, public health clinics, community health centers, Indian Health Service clinics, and other primary care facilities. 

A complementary goal is to provide home visitors, public health nurses, early child care and education professionals (including Head Start), school nurses, and nutritionists with an understanding of Bright Futures materials so that they can align their health promotion efforts with the recommendations in the Bright Futures Guidelines. This objective will ensure that patients receive information and support that is consistent from family and youth perspectives. 

Academic health institutions, health professional organizations, state agencies, and health insurance companies are equally committed to helping health care practitioners and other professionals who work with children, youth, and families achieve the above goals. These combined efforts support parents in their role as health promotion experts for their family and allow them to partner effectively with all of their health professionals.​​​​​

 Background: The Origins and History of Bright Futures

Nearly 25 years ago, a multidisciplinary group of pediatric health care experts and family representatives were asked to imagine our country's health picture if every child in America could look forward to a bright future—regardless of race, religion, background, income, politics, or any other factor. This group, convened by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Medicaid Bureau (part of the Health Care Financing Administration, now the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS]), expressed its vision in the Bright Futures Children's Health Charter, which set the stage for the 1st Edition of the Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents in 1994.

The 2nd Edition of the Guidelines was released in 2000 and updated in 2002, under the auspices of the National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health at Georgetown University. By this time, its use in the field was growing. The Guidelines were being embraced by physicians, pediatric residents, nurse practitioners, and others who care for children, including families. State agencies, in particular Medicaid agencies responsible for administering the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) programs, were integrating the recommendations into covered services for infants and young children.

In 2002, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) established the Bright Futures National Center (BFNC) to spearhead implementation efforts and update the Guidelines for a third time. Since the release of the 3rd Edition of the Bright Futures Guidelines in 2008, implementation in clinical practice, public health, and many other settings in the community, such as school health centers, child care settings, and home visiting programs, has steadily increased. Family Voices, a national grassroots network, has been an important partner over the years, translating the health supervision Guidelines into family-friendly materials to encourage the integral partnership between families and their health care providers as promoted by Bright Futures.

The BFNC at the AAP continues to provide the leadership to put the Guidelines and related tools and resources into practice across the country. It provides technical assistance to states and communities to facilitate implementation, offers additional tools and resources to encourage use in different settings and by different disciplines, and promotes the use of Bright Futures Preventive Services Measures in clinical practice and in quality improvement efforts. The BFNC also is coordinating the effort to update the Guidelines by 2015 with the contributions of leading experts in many fields under the guidance of the Bright Futures editors and the Bright Futures Steering Committee members.

In cooperation with the Academic Pediatric Association (APA), the BFNC at the AAP also supports the Bright Futures Young Investigator Award (YIA) Program, funded by HRSA's MCHB. This program funds projects aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and evidence base for health supervision in primary care, consistent with the Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision for Infants, Children, and Adolescent, 3rd Edition. To learn more about this funding opportunity and recent accomplishments, visit the Young Investigators Preventive Services Research​ page.

Bright Futures Advisors

  • Bright Futures Guidelines, 4th Edition Editors and Expert Panels

    ​​​Bright Futures Co-Editors
    Joseph F. Hagan Jr, MD, FAAP
    American Academy of Pediatrics
    Hagan & Rinehart Pediatrics, PLLC

    Judith S.​ Shaw, EdD, MPH, RN, FAAP
    Academic Pediatric Association Representative
    Executive Director, Vermont Child Health Improvement Program
    Executive Director, National Improvement Partnership Network ​​​​

    Paula M. Duncan, MD, FAAP
    Bright Futures Steering Committee Member and PIAC Chairperson

    Expert Panels

    Infancy
    Co-Chairpersons
    Deborah Campbell, MD, FAAP
    Barbara Deloian, PhD, RN, CPNP, IBCLC, FAANP

    Members
    George J. Cohen, MD, FAAP (Retired)

    Tumaini R. Coker, MD, MBA

    Elizabeth P. Elliott, MS, PA-C

    Penelope Knapp, MD, FAAP, FAPA, FAACP

    Dipesh Navsaria, MD, MPH, MSLIS, FAAP

    Beth Potter, MD

    Rocio Quinonez, DMD, MS, MPH, FRCDC

    Karyl Rickard, PhD, RD, FADA

    Melissa Clark Vickers, MEd


    Early Childhood
    Co-Chairpersons
    Donald B. ​​Middleton, MD, FAAP​

    Cynthia S. Minkovitz, MD, MPP, FAAP

    Members
    Joseph M. Carrillo, MD, FAAP

    Nan Gaylord, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC

    Peter A. Gorski, MD, MPA, FAAP

    Manuel E. Jimenez, MD, MS, FAAP

    Christopher A. Kus, MD, MPH, FAAP

    Francisco Ramos-Gomez, DDS, MS, MPH

    Madeleine Sigman-Grant, PhD, RD

    Middle Childhood
    Edward Goldson, MD, FAAP
    Bonnie A Spear PhD, RDN

    Members
    Scott W. Cashion, DDS

    Paula L. Coates, DDS, MS

    Arthur Lavin, MD, FAAP

    Robert C. Lee, DO, MS, FAAP

    Beth A. MacDonald

    Eve Spratt, MD, MS

    Anne Turner-Henson, PhD, RN, FAAN

    Jane A. Weida, MD, FAAFP

    Adolescence
    Co-Chairpersons
    Frances E. Biagioli, MD

    Martin M. Fisher, MD, FAAP


    Members
    Pamela Burke, PhD, RN, FNP, PNP, FSAHM

    Shakeeb Chinoy, MD

    Arthur B. Elster, MD, FAAP

    Katrina Holt, MPH, MS, RD

    M. Susan Jay, MD, FAAP

    Jaime Martinez, MD, FAAP

    Vaughn I. Rickert, PsyD (Deceased)

    Scott D. Smith, DDS, MS

  • Bright Futures Project Implementation Advisory Committee (PIAC)

    ​​​​Paula K. Duncan, MD, FAAP
    American Academy of Pediatrics
    ​
    Christopher M. Barry, PA-C, MMSc
    American Academy of Physician Assistants

    Martha Dewey Bergren, DNS, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FASHA
    National Association of School Nurses

    Gregory S. Blaschke, MD, MPH, FAAP
    Oregon Health & Science University
    Doernbecher Children's Hospital

    Laura Brey, MS
    National Association of School-Based Health Centers

    Paul Casamassimo, DDS
    American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

    James J. Crall, DDS, ScD
    American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

    Michael Fraser, PhD, CAE
    Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs

    Sandra Hassink, MD, FAAP
    Thomas Jefferson University
    Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

    Christopher Kus, MD, MPH, FAAP
    Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs

     ​Sharon Moffatt, RN, BSN, MS
    Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

    Richard E. Rainey, MD, FAAP
    Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

    Beth Rezet, MD, FAAP
    Association of Pediatric Program Directors

    Bonnie A. Spear, PhD, RDN 
    American Dietetic Association

    National Association of Community Health Centers, Representative​

    Myrtis Sullivan, MD, MPH, FAAP
    National Medical Association

    Felicia K. Taylor, MBA
    National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

    Modena Wilson, MD, MPH, FAAP
    American Medical Association ​

  • Bright Futures Steering Committee

    ​​​​Members

    Family Voices Representative​

    ​​​​Edward S. Curry, MD, FAAP
    American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Practice & Ambulatory Medicine
    Kaiser Permanente

    Paula M. Duncan, MD, FAAP
    Professor of Pediatrics, University of Vermont College of Medicine

    National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Representative

    Joseph F. Hagan Jr, MD, FAAP
    American Academy of Pediatrics
    Hagan & Rinehart Pediatrics, PLLC

    Judith S. Shaw, EdD, MPH, RN, FAAP
    Academic Pediatric Association Representative
    Executive Director, Vermont Child Health Improvement Program
    Executive Director, National Improvement Partnership Network

    Jack T. ​​Swanson, MD, FAAP
    American Academy of Pediatrics
    McFarland Clinic​


FAQs

  • What changes were made in the 2019 update of the Bright Futures/American Academy of Pediatrics Periodicity Schedule?

    ​​​​​​Visit the latest ​Bright Futures/American Academy of Pediatrics Periodicity Schedule​​

    Summary of Changes

    BLOOD PRESSURE
    • Footnote 6 has been updated to read as follows: "Screening should occur per 'Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents.' Blood pressure measurement in infants and children with specific risk conditions should be performed at visits before age 3 years."

    ANEMIA
    • Footnote 24 has been updated to read as follows: "Perform risk assessment or screening, as appropriate, per recommendations in the current edition of the AAP Pediatric Nutrition: Policy of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Iron chapter)."

    LEAD
    • Footnote 25 has been updated to read as follows: "For children at risk of lead exposure, see 'Prevention of Childhood Lead Toxicity' and 'Low Level Lead Exposure Harms Children: A Renewed Call for Primary Prevention'."
  • How can I demonstrate that use of Bright Futures is making a difference in my practice or in my state?

    ​Measurable implementation is essential to Bright Futures. Learn more​ about the Bright Futures measures and how to use them in quality improvement projects at the clinical practice and state level.

  • How can I arrange for a presentation about Bright Futures for my state or my organization?

    ​Please complete our contact form to request assistance from the Bright Futures National Center. The BFNC, in conjunction with state departments of health, local AAP chapters, and Bright Futures leaders, has conducted numerous workshops to assist with the implementation of the Bright Futures approach. Visit the states and communities section of this Web site for examples of work to expand these efforts.

  • How can I receive Bright Futures highlights and news?

    ​​​​​​​​​You can find out about the latest Bright Futures developments by signing up​ to receive our eNews​​. Extensive information is always available at workshops at the annual AAP National Conference & Exhibition held each year in October and at exhibit booths at national meetings of pediatricians and other professionals who work with children and families.

  • Are there any Bright Futures Mobile apps?

    The AAP Child Health Tracker gives families access to their children's health information and providers. It also provides AAP guidance consistent with Bright Futures Guidelines, 3rd Edition, on the vaccinations and milestones for each birthday. Also included are parent handouts and other tools for each health supervision visit.

  • Are any Bright Futures materials available in Spanish?
    ​​Yes. The following materials have been translated into Spanish:
  • Are any new Bright Futures materials being developed or updated?

  • How do I get a license for the Bright Futures Tool and Resource Kit, 2nd Edition and how can I integrate these tools into an Electronic Medical Record System?

    ​​​To incorporate forms into an Electronic Medical Record System or to make multiple copies of specific items, please contact institutions@aap.org.

  • Where can I find the most current Pediatric Preventive Services Codes and information on what’s changed?

    ​​The AAP provides coding Webinars, newsletters and fact sheets that outline the various codes for patient visits. View the Bright Future and Preventive Medicine Coding Fact Sheet. 

    ​

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