Every child deserves the chance to thrive. But for many families, navigating early childhood development can feel overwhelming. That’s where Help Me Grow Alabama comes in.
Help Me Grow Alabama is a free, confidential program for families with children from birth to age 8, connecting them to the support they need. That could involve speech therapy, parenting classes or developmental screenings.
Behind Every Success Story Is a Team of Caring People
Amber Whitfield of United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA), who leads as the Program Director of both Help Me Grow and Success By 6 in the Community Initiatives Department, considers all aspects of her work deeply meaningful. But she said that, beyond the data and strategy, it’s in the moments of connection with families where she sees the greatest impact.
“What we do in our communities, the children that we serve, the people we work with — it just feels good to know that we’re really making a difference,” she said.
As Program Director, Amber supports her staff, trains community providers, reviews referrals, and follows up with families. She often hears from parents who have concerns but aren’t sure where to turn.
One story that stuck with Amber came from a mom who called, feeling unsure and overwhelmed. Her toddler wasn’t talking yet, and she kept hearing, “just wait it out.” But she knew something didn’t feel right.
Through Help Me Grow Alabama, the team listened without judgment and helped her schedule a developmental screening. The results showed a speech delay, and the child qualified for Early Intervention services. They walked her through the referral process, stayed in touch and connected her with a local parenting support group so she wouldn’t feel alone.
Within a few months, her child began using words and gestures and making real progress. And the mom, once unsure, grew more confident with every step.
“It was a powerful reminder that when families are heard and supported early, the impact can be lifelong,” Amber said.
One-on-One Support that Makes a Difference
Helping families take that next step is Jasmine Johnson, the Help Me Grow Care Coordinator. Jasmine talks with parents directly, listens closely and helps them navigate options tailored to their child’s needs.
“I love working with families,” Jasmine said. “It’s a great feeling to know that our support can turn things around for a child and change the course of their life.”
In 2024, Help Me Grow Alabama served 414 families, made 440 referrals and conducted 50 developmental screenings — each one a step toward brighter outcomes.
Care Coordinators such as Jasmine do more than connect families to services. They partner with pediatricians, childcare providers and early childhood programs. They identify gaps in the system, share knowledge and remove barriers that keep families from getting the help they need.
Help at Every Step of the Journey
Both Amber and Jasmine emphasized the importance for people to understand that Help Me Grow isn’t just for children with diagnosed delays. It’s for any caregiver who has questions about development, behavior or parenting.
“We walk alongside you,” said Amber. “We don’t just hand you a phone number. We help you navigate every step.”
Whether a parent is worried about a speech delay, looking for a parenting class or just wants to know what milestones to expect, Help Me Grow is here to help.
Thanks to the care and commitment of leaders such as Amber and Jasmine, hundreds of Alabama families are finding the tools and confidence they need to help their children grow up strong.
Have questions about your child’s development? Visit Help Me Grow Alabama to get connected.
Learn more about United Way’s impact on Early Childhood Education and Development here.