CYW Receives Challenge Grant from The JPB Foundation; Pediatrician Jonathan Goldfinger Named Chief Medical Officer and VP of Innovation

At the Center for Youth Wellness (CYW), we know that early detection and intervention are key to improving the health and changing the life trajectories of nearly 35 million children in the U.S. who have been exposed to adversity. This is why we’re working to ensure every child is screened for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by a pediatric clinician so negative effects on their health and well-being due to toxic stress can be prevented, identified and mitigated. We’re thrilled to share some exciting progress in making that vision a reality.

The JPB Foundation has awarded a $4 million transformational grant to the Center for Youth Wellness to strengthen and expand our reach to millions of parents, caregivers and pediatricians with the important science and tools they need to identify, address, and reduce the risk of toxic stress. In addition, in order to help catalyze even greater support, The JPB Foundation has offered to match new and increased donations to the Center for Youth Wellness on a one-to-one basis up to $2 million. This means that every dollar contributed to Center for Youth Wellness will go twice as far in helping us build a better future for all children.

“The costs of toxic stress to children, families and society are enormous,” explained Barbara Picower, President of The JPB Foundation, which supports initiatives that enable pioneering medical research and empower those living in poverty. “Our support of the Center for Youth Wellness is an investment in the health and potential of millions of children, whose futures shouldn’t be defined by adversity.”

“This investment provides growth capital to continue to innovate and scale the impact of our work,” stated Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Founder and CEO of CYW. “We are so grateful to The JPB Foundation for investing in research and innovation to address childhood adversity and toxic stress. Their partnership is helping expand the National Pediatric Practice Community on ACEs to support pediatric clinicians in screening for ACEs; broaden awareness of the health implications of ACEs and the interventions that can help children heal through the Stress Health program; and develop tools to help parents and pediatricians identify and respond to toxic stress.”

To help lead this exciting new chapter, the Center for Youth Wellness has brought on Dr. Jonathan Goldfinger as its first Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Innovation.

Dr. Goldfinger is a nationally recognized pediatrician and lifelong advocate for the health and well-being of children, who brings significant experience transforming health care. In his recent roles as National Director of HealthySteps and Chief Medical Officer of ZERO TO THREE, he brought a model of pediatric primary care that better supports parents to national prominence and scale. He also created the world’s most comprehensive, evidence-based lactation support app, latchME, connecting new mothers to local breastfeeding services and resources. Dr. Goldfinger sits on the American Academy of Pediatrics National Advisory Board for Screening in Practices and advises a number of national and local collaborations and startups to help level the healthcare playing field so all children and families have robust, equitable primary care.

“CYW leads the field in tackling how pediatricians prevent, identify, and manage costly, life-long health consequences children face from adverse social and emotional circumstances,” stated Dr. Goldfinger. “It’s an honor to come on board at this pivotal time to accelerate and scale innovative research, clinical programs, and the national practice movement alongside a dream team helping pediatrics fulfill its promise.”

With an inspiring vision, investments to catalyze further giving and expanded leadership to scale impact nationally, the Center for Youth Wellness is poised to help every child in America to improve their health and reach their full potential. Thank you for being a part of this movement. Together, we can make sure all children have a shot at a healthy and vibrant future.