The HealthySteps National Advisory Committee provides recommendations and guidance for effective sustainability, replication, and scaling of HealthySteps. We asked Dr. McCabe about the “why” behind her work with the Committee.
Mary Ann McCabe is a recently retired, board-certified child and adolescent clinical psychologist and a national leader in bridging science, practice, and policy to advance child, adolescent and family well-being. Through professional leadership positions (e.g., Children’s National Health System, Society for Research in Child Development) and professional service (e.g., American Psychological Association, National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine Forum on Children’s Wellbeing), Dr. McCabe has become a champion for pediatric primary care as a near-universal opportunity for two-generation prevention that promotes healthy development, early intervention, and health equity.
How did you find out about HealthySteps?
I first learned about HealthySteps when I became a champion for two-generation prevention programs in pediatric primary care and learned of Dr. Rahil Briggs’ work.
What do you see as HealthySteps’ unique contribution to child and family health?
HealthySteps is unique in its focus on rigorous adherence to best practices in maternal and child health, as well as on ensuring fidelity, training, impact measurement, and funding.
What motivates you personally to support HealthySteps’ mission?
Early in my career as a child and adolescent clinical psychologist, I observed the many inequities in children’s health care. I also witnessed the limitations for all families that stem from intervening late in developmental and behavioral problems and focusing only on children, rather than families.
What do you see as the role of the National Advisory Committee?
The National Advisory Committee brings together diverse people with unique perspectives, leading to more innovation, problem-solving, and amplification.
HealthySteps matters because…
… babies are the future!