https://simplecast.com The Parenting Brief Useful tips and advice for moms of children ages 0-5, delivered every other Wednesday by a mom who loves her job raising her own kids, Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez, an expert in early childhood development. 2020 Strong Families AZ en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:12:12 +0000 https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com The Parenting Brief https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/c1bbbb25-b7bd-4fd2-8256-6bfede2c49cc/75990569-277c-4413-a74d-2d49ad4046f9/3000x3000/sfaz-podcast-logo-final-option-2.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com episodic Useful tips and advice for moms of children ages 0-5, delivered every other Wednesday by a mom who loves her job raising her own kids, Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez, an expert in early childhood development. Strong Families AZ false https://feeds.simplecast.com/IfPo7jM6 Strong Families AZ rjohnson@riester.com fb6fc870-02b1-11f1-b395-f32f1891a4c7 f739ced8-abb8-4206-b5ef-b113eb3c63ee Reading Ready Kids Today we’re talking about early childhood literacy AKA the difference between being able to sound out words and making context connections. 

In this episode of The Parenting Brief, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Cynnamon Woodberry from Make Way for Books to discuss how Arizona parents can build foundational literacy skills through simple, everyday interactions like talking, singing, and playing. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Cynnamon Woodberry

Make Way for Books

Harvard Center on the Developing Child

Zero to Three

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

First Things First

]]> Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/reading-ready-kids-qRA9fJjT Today we’re talking about early childhood literacy AKA the difference between being able to sound out words and making context connections. 

In this episode of The Parenting Brief, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Cynnamon Woodberry from Make Way for Books to discuss how Arizona parents can build foundational literacy skills through simple, everyday interactions like talking, singing, and playing. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Cynnamon Woodberry

Make Way for Books

Harvard Center on the Developing Child

Zero to Three

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

First Things First

]]> Reading Ready Kids Strong Families AZ 00:11:39 false full 4 6 e1f2a617-4543-42da-bb55-d1ffeb87691f Parent Shaming Ever feel judged for your parenting choices? We're talking with Dr. Charissa Chamorro about where parent shaming comes from and how to navigate the cultural shift toward "perfect parenting" in our hyper connected world. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Charissa Chamorro, PhD

]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/parent-shaming-_qAaV6FL Ever feel judged for your parenting choices? We're talking with Dr. Charissa Chamorro about where parent shaming comes from and how to navigate the cultural shift toward "perfect parenting" in our hyper connected world. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Charissa Chamorro, PhD

]]> Parent Shaming Strong Families AZ 00:10:29 false full 3 6 98268d36-1bbc-4d36-ad7b-f22fae53bba9 Cavity Free Kids Start With Mom Find out how pregnancy hormones affect oral health, what to watch out for if your gums look unhealthy, and why taking care of your teeth while pregnant is important for your baby's future oral health.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Laurie Clark, a Registered Dental Hygienist with the Dignity Health Early Childhood Oral Health Program, to answer all your questions about oral health and going to the dentist while pregnant. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Laurie Clark, BADH, RDH, AP

Healthychildren.org

Arizona Sliding Fee Scale Providers - Dental

Reduced Fee and Community Dental Clinics in Arizona

]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/cavity-free-kids-start-with-mom-SFu74nba Find out how pregnancy hormones affect oral health, what to watch out for if your gums look unhealthy, and why taking care of your teeth while pregnant is important for your baby's future oral health.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Laurie Clark, a Registered Dental Hygienist with the Dignity Health Early Childhood Oral Health Program, to answer all your questions about oral health and going to the dentist while pregnant. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Laurie Clark, BADH, RDH, AP

Healthychildren.org

Arizona Sliding Fee Scale Providers - Dental

Reduced Fee and Community Dental Clinics in Arizona

]]> Cavity Free Kids Start With Mom Strong Families AZ 00:09:21 false full 2 6 36188246-d5f0-4379-a7a3-7779d155558d Why Toddlers Hit, Bite, and Throw Toddlers have big feelings but haven't learned how to talk about them yet. Hitting, biting, and throwing are normal for their age and usually stop as they get older and better at communicating. Parents play a huge role in teaching their children how to handle their emotions.

 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Mirna Tomic, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a child therapist at Arizona Child Psychology, to discuss these behaviors, how working together (co-regulation) can teach kids to manage their own feelings (self-regulate), and more!


Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

 

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

 

Guest: Mirna Tomic, MAS-IFP, MSW, LCSW

 

Circle of Security International Blog and other parent resources

 

Birth to Five Helpline - resources, referrals

 

Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) - developmental screenings and evaluations

 

Book: “Emotional Life of the Toddler” by Alicia Lieberman

 

Book: "The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel Siegel 

 

Book: "No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel Siegel 

 

Book: “Parenting from the Inside Out: How A Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive” by Daniel Siegel (the title says it all)

 

Book: “Raising a Secure Child” (Circle of Security) by Hoffman, Cooper, & Powell

]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:50:58 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/why-toddlers-hit-bite-and-throw-4myNwI6c Toddlers have big feelings but haven't learned how to talk about them yet. Hitting, biting, and throwing are normal for their age and usually stop as they get older and better at communicating. Parents play a huge role in teaching their children how to handle their emotions.

 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Mirna Tomic, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a child therapist at Arizona Child Psychology, to discuss these behaviors, how working together (co-regulation) can teach kids to manage their own feelings (self-regulate), and more!


Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

 

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

 

Guest: Mirna Tomic, MAS-IFP, MSW, LCSW

 

Circle of Security International Blog and other parent resources

 

Birth to Five Helpline - resources, referrals

 

Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) - developmental screenings and evaluations

 

Book: “Emotional Life of the Toddler” by Alicia Lieberman

 

Book: "The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel Siegel 

 

Book: "No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind" by Daniel Siegel 

 

Book: “Parenting from the Inside Out: How A Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive” by Daniel Siegel (the title says it all)

 

Book: “Raising a Secure Child” (Circle of Security) by Hoffman, Cooper, & Powell

]]> Why Toddlers Hit, Bite, and Throw Strong Families AZ 00:09:38 false full 1 6 121bb1b2-1657-4ce5-ad00-898da620bd16 Understanding Primitive Reflexes Primitive reflexes are involuntary responses that a newborn is born with to help them survive. These reflexes naturally disappear as your baby’s brain matures. In cases of injury, these reflexes can show back up and are a sign of a larger issue.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Karen Pryor, a physical therapist, to cover what parents need to know about primitive reflexes.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

 

Guest: Dr. Karen Pryor

 

List of Primitive Reflexes

]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/understanding-primitive-reflexes-0Ik_NO8p Primitive reflexes are involuntary responses that a newborn is born with to help them survive. These reflexes naturally disappear as your baby’s brain matures. In cases of injury, these reflexes can show back up and are a sign of a larger issue.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Karen Pryor, a physical therapist, to cover what parents need to know about primitive reflexes.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

 

Guest: Dr. Karen Pryor

 

List of Primitive Reflexes

]]> Understanding Primitive Reflexes Strong Families AZ 00:06:15 baby, signs of traumatic brain injury, primitive, baby brain, brain health, reflex, development, brain function false full 16 5 82041e60-3c3c-4616-9f2b-5a2619851d04 Do you know Group B Strep? Strep is more than just a sore throat. Today we’re talking about Group B Strep (GBS), which usually isn’t serious for adults, but it can hurt newborns. Learn what it is, how to test for it, and the importance of treatment.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Sarah Sams, a family physician and American Academy of Family Physicians board member, for a comprehensive guide to prepare moms for the safest possible delivery.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Dr. Sarah Sams

Familydoctor.org

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

 

]]> Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/do-you-know-group-b-strep-RMmYEqdn Strep is more than just a sore throat. Today we’re talking about Group B Strep (GBS), which usually isn’t serious for adults, but it can hurt newborns. Learn what it is, how to test for it, and the importance of treatment.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Sarah Sams, a family physician and American Academy of Family Physicians board member, for a comprehensive guide to prepare moms for the safest possible delivery.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Dr. Sarah Sams

Familydoctor.org

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

 

]]> Do you know Group B Strep? Strong Families AZ 00:08:17 false full 15 5 8cc665c2-a37d-419a-96f7-5b163342eee1 Brain Injury: What Every Parent Needs to Know Infants and children can experience brain injuries in many ways.

What signs can parents keep an eye out for and what can you do to prevent traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)? 

Tune in to hear Jessica talk about childhood brain injuries with Dr. Sue Wolf, an Educational Psychologist with Empowerment Research. Learn about causes, signs, prevention, and recovery. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Dr. Sue Wolf

Empowerment Research

Encircle Families

Brain Injury Association of Arizona

AZ Department of Education: TBI Training

 

]]> Wed, 8 Oct 2025 19:01:41 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/brain-injury-what-every-parent-needs-to-know-FW_cLj0P Infants and children can experience brain injuries in many ways.

What signs can parents keep an eye out for and what can you do to prevent traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)? 

Tune in to hear Jessica talk about childhood brain injuries with Dr. Sue Wolf, an Educational Psychologist with Empowerment Research. Learn about causes, signs, prevention, and recovery. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Dr. Sue Wolf

Empowerment Research

Encircle Families

Brain Injury Association of Arizona

AZ Department of Education: TBI Training

 

]]> Brain Injury: What Every Parent Needs to Know Strong Families AZ 00:10:05 signs of tbi, signs of traumatic brain injury, tbi symptom, neuroscience, trauma, brain, chronic illness, cognitive, memory, cognitive health, brain injury alliance, icd, tbi, brain health, sports injury, head trauma, signs of head trauma, concussion, brain function, chronic disease, brain trauma false full 14 5 f376bf02-da27-4f13-93e0-819025f00261 How to Find Safe Child Care What is child care licensing and why is it important for families? Today’s episode covers how licensing keeps kids safe, how to make sure your child care facility is licensed, and practical tips for parents like what to look for during a tour and how to report any concerns

Jessica chats with Margaret Bernal, the Chief of the Bureau of Child Care Licensing for the Arizona Department of Health Services, about all this and more in this final episode of our childcare series.

Don’t miss our previous episodes on transitioning back to work after having a baby and early childhood education, available now on our channel.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

 

Guest: Margaret Bernal


AZDHS: Child Care Facilities Licensing

 

AZ Care Check

 

Licensing Services Online Complaint Forms

 

Bureau of Child Care Licensing Top Ten Citations – 2024

 

Transitioning Back to Work After Having A Baby

 

Early Childhood Education

 

]]> Wed, 24 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-find-safe-child-care-UHVk_88H What is child care licensing and why is it important for families? Today’s episode covers how licensing keeps kids safe, how to make sure your child care facility is licensed, and practical tips for parents like what to look for during a tour and how to report any concerns

Jessica chats with Margaret Bernal, the Chief of the Bureau of Child Care Licensing for the Arizona Department of Health Services, about all this and more in this final episode of our childcare series.

Don’t miss our previous episodes on transitioning back to work after having a baby and early childhood education, available now on our channel.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

 

Guest: Margaret Bernal


AZDHS: Child Care Facilities Licensing

 

AZ Care Check

 

Licensing Services Online Complaint Forms

 

Bureau of Child Care Licensing Top Ten Citations – 2024

 

Transitioning Back to Work After Having A Baby

 

Early Childhood Education

 

]]> How to Find Safe Child Care Strong Families AZ 00:10:17 false full 13 5 c730384f-2ee1-4dab-8055-63ba82d2d09d Live from Home Visiting Conference: How To Be YOU What does it mean to show up as your true self? Listen to learn how to practice authenticity in every situation like the school pick ups, work, and more!

Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 14th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Chris Molina, who is always looking to help others become better Professionals & better Leaders. 

“Change is something that is always going to happen, so we should embrace it and understand [it].”

Guest: 

Chris Molina

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

Book: 

Anthony Jack: The Privileged Poor

]]> Wed, 17 Sep 2025 19:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/live-from-home-visiting-conference-how-to-be-you-djXTn_Gk What does it mean to show up as your true self? Listen to learn how to practice authenticity in every situation like the school pick ups, work, and more!

Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 14th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Chris Molina, who is always looking to help others become better Professionals & better Leaders. 

“Change is something that is always going to happen, so we should embrace it and understand [it].”

Guest: 

Chris Molina

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

Book: 

Anthony Jack: The Privileged Poor

]]> Live from Home Visiting Conference: How To Be YOU Strong Families AZ 00:10:04 false full 12 5 81f03273-6320-482b-9c97-a7aa672a5568 Live from Home Visiting Conference: Pressures of Potty Training There’s so much pressure on parents when it comes to potty training. Listen to learn what a “potty personality” is and how it can help you design a potty training approach that will work best for your child. 

Live from the 14th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Dr. Heather Wittenberg, a Psychologist, Author, and Mom of Four.

Guest: 

Dr. Heather Wittenberg

Psychologist

Author: Let's Get This Potty Started!

Mom of Four

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Wed, 17 Sep 2025 15:37:11 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/live-from-home-visiting-conference-pressures-of-potty-training-iraSzQ5K There’s so much pressure on parents when it comes to potty training. Listen to learn what a “potty personality” is and how it can help you design a potty training approach that will work best for your child. 

Live from the 14th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Dr. Heather Wittenberg, a Psychologist, Author, and Mom of Four.

Guest: 

Dr. Heather Wittenberg

Psychologist

Author: Let's Get This Potty Started!

Mom of Four

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Live from Home Visiting Conference: Pressures of Potty Training Strong Families AZ 00:03:42 false full 11 5 d44d2543-d878-4155-a898-737c326f8792 Live from Home Visiting Conference: Raising Resilient Kids Parents know life can be unpredictable. Teaching kids to navigate hardship, adjust and recover gives them the tools to handle life’s challenges. 

Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 14th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Dr. Tovah Klein about what it means to be resilient and how parents can raise their children to be resilient. 

Guest: 

Dr. Tovah Klein

Author: Raising Resilience; How Toddlers Thrive

Psychology professor

Barnard College, Columbia University

Director, Barnard College Center for Toddler Development

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Tue, 16 Sep 2025 21:12:05 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/live-from-home-visiting-conference-raising-resilient-kids-GngiBpfJ Parents know life can be unpredictable. Teaching kids to navigate hardship, adjust and recover gives them the tools to handle life’s challenges. 

Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 14th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Dr. Tovah Klein about what it means to be resilient and how parents can raise their children to be resilient. 

Guest: 

Dr. Tovah Klein

Author: Raising Resilience; How Toddlers Thrive

Psychology professor

Barnard College, Columbia University

Director, Barnard College Center for Toddler Development

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Live from Home Visiting Conference: Raising Resilient Kids Strong Families AZ 00:04:39 false full 10 5 45ccab4b-6273-4941-8472-c9bd0060cc35 Live from Home Visiting Conference: Innovative Problem Solving Live this week from the 14th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez spoke with Nereida Gomez, a community health worker for the Health Start Program and the 2025 Innovator Award winner. 

They talk about what Nereida has learned from working with young families and how those lessons are helpful to all families. 

Guest: 

Nereida Gomez

MHC Case Manager 

the Health Start Program

the CHS Department

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:18:39 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/live-from-home-visiting-conference-innovative-problem-solving-8LBEDIiU Live this week from the 14th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez spoke with Nereida Gomez, a community health worker for the Health Start Program and the 2025 Innovator Award winner. 

They talk about what Nereida has learned from working with young families and how those lessons are helpful to all families. 

Guest: 

Nereida Gomez

MHC Case Manager 

the Health Start Program

the CHS Department

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Live from Home Visiting Conference: Innovative Problem Solving Strong Families AZ 00:04:21 false full 9 5 32f34c4b-5be9-4621-b07f-b3490b9875da Live from Home Visiting Conference: How Brains Work Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 14th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez spoke with Dr. Heather Berlin to get to know how our brains work. Tune in to learn about the importance of boredom, the extinction effect, understanding appropriate child development, and more!

Guest: 

Dr. Heather Berlin

Cognitive Neuroscientist

Associate Clinical Professor Of Psychiatry And Neuroscience

The Icahn School Of Medicine

Mount Sinai

New York

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Mon, 15 Sep 2025 23:20:44 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/live-from-home-visiting-conference-how-brains-work-TKVKfEhU Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 14th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez spoke with Dr. Heather Berlin to get to know how our brains work. Tune in to learn about the importance of boredom, the extinction effect, understanding appropriate child development, and more!

Guest: 

Dr. Heather Berlin

Cognitive Neuroscientist

Associate Clinical Professor Of Psychiatry And Neuroscience

The Icahn School Of Medicine

Mount Sinai

New York

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Live from Home Visiting Conference: How Brains Work Strong Families AZ 00:12:30 false full 8 5 8ae8b980-5185-41c8-b8c5-933a01349d41 Kindergarten Readiness Have you heard about kindergarten readiness? It's a term that's been floating around on social media and school websites lately, and we’re here to break it down for you. 

Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sits down with Laura Lee, the Director of Early Childhood at the Arizona Department of Education, to talk about kindergarten readiness, Arizona's school choice system, and practical steps to ensure a smooth enrollment process.

Whether you’re feeling super excited or a little bit anxious about your kid starting kindergarten, don’t worry! We’ve got everything you need to make this transition a good one.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Laura Lee

Arizona Early Learning Standards

ADE ECE Webpage

]]> Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/kindergarten-readiness-4dOyIN11 Have you heard about kindergarten readiness? It's a term that's been floating around on social media and school websites lately, and we’re here to break it down for you. 

Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sits down with Laura Lee, the Director of Early Childhood at the Arizona Department of Education, to talk about kindergarten readiness, Arizona's school choice system, and practical steps to ensure a smooth enrollment process.

Whether you’re feeling super excited or a little bit anxious about your kid starting kindergarten, don’t worry! We’ve got everything you need to make this transition a good one.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Laura Lee

Arizona Early Learning Standards

ADE ECE Webpage

]]> Kindergarten Readiness Strong Families AZ 00:08:45 false full 7 5 7e498ffe-6d39-433a-bd3b-f397f5203854 Keeping Kids Safe Around Pools This episode is focused on drowning prevention. We share comprehensive tips to keep your family safe, especially around backyard pools and spas. 

Jessica discusses drowning prevention with Jay Arthur, the President of the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona and a retired Phoenix Fire Captain that helped start the fire service drowning prevention efforts in Phoenix. 

Learn about the importance of multiple safety layers, audible alarms, and having an emergency plan in place.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Jay Arthur

The Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona

The Child Crisis Center Pool Fence Safety Program

]]> Wed, 6 Aug 2025 16:14:52 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/keeping-kids-safe-around-pools-BpBsGb2q This episode is focused on drowning prevention. We share comprehensive tips to keep your family safe, especially around backyard pools and spas. 

Jessica discusses drowning prevention with Jay Arthur, the President of the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona and a retired Phoenix Fire Captain that helped start the fire service drowning prevention efforts in Phoenix. 

Learn about the importance of multiple safety layers, audible alarms, and having an emergency plan in place.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Jay Arthur

The Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona

The Child Crisis Center Pool Fence Safety Program

]]> Keeping Kids Safe Around Pools Strong Families AZ 00:08:35 false full 6 5 7584e425-49ca-4288-b326-008c69d51a88 Managing Parenting Stress Feeling overwhelmed as a parent? You're not alone! Learning how to be aware of your level of stress and how to manage it can be a game changer. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Karissa Whitlatch, a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in parenting therapy, 

“ …We tend to do things on our own instead of reaching out to friends or support or family. When we weren’t meant to try to navigate parenthood on our own. We were really wired for community.”

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Karissa Whitlatch

]]> Wed, 9 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/managing-parenting-stress-yUtmvrF3 Feeling overwhelmed as a parent? You're not alone! Learning how to be aware of your level of stress and how to manage it can be a game changer. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Karissa Whitlatch, a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in parenting therapy, 

“ …We tend to do things on our own instead of reaching out to friends or support or family. When we weren’t meant to try to navigate parenthood on our own. We were really wired for community.”

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Karissa Whitlatch

]]> Managing Parenting Stress Strong Families AZ 00:09:06 false full 5 5 c672a7ca-6664-4268-a830-bc5bd249e143 Early Childhood Education Early childhood education helps kids develop social, cognitive, and physical skills. Whether that learning comes from a formal child care setting or a stay at home parent, this episode covers what you need to know about early learning experiences.  

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Ruth Ray, the Program Director of Early Learning Professional Support at Candelen, about how to support your child’s growth and development. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Ruth Ray

Candelen

Quality First

Arizona Child Care Resource and Referral

]]> Wed, 4 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/early-childhood-education-qVI_ANT6 Early childhood education helps kids develop social, cognitive, and physical skills. Whether that learning comes from a formal child care setting or a stay at home parent, this episode covers what you need to know about early learning experiences.  

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with Ruth Ray, the Program Director of Early Learning Professional Support at Candelen, about how to support your child’s growth and development. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Ruth Ray

Candelen

Quality First

Arizona Child Care Resource and Referral

]]> Early Childhood Education Strong Families AZ 00:08:23 false full 4 5 97bc0dc3-153a-4521-bb65-b8c484eb9b30 All the Feels: Transitioning to Daycare Returning to work after parental leave can be very emotional. From finding a day care you feel confident in, to trying to focus on work when you’re away from your new baby, this can be a stressful time. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Michelle Saint Hilarie, the Senior Program Director for Child Care Resource and Referral at Child & Family Resources, to share practical tips to make that transition better for your entire family.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Michelle Saint Hilarie

Child & Family Resources

Arizona Child Care Resource and Referral

Child Care Information Line: 1-800-308-9000

]]> Wed, 7 May 2025 20:23:21 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/all-the-feels-transitioning-to-daycare-bpRGtZZT Returning to work after parental leave can be very emotional. From finding a day care you feel confident in, to trying to focus on work when you’re away from your new baby, this can be a stressful time. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Michelle Saint Hilarie, the Senior Program Director for Child Care Resource and Referral at Child & Family Resources, to share practical tips to make that transition better for your entire family.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Michelle Saint Hilarie

Child & Family Resources

Arizona Child Care Resource and Referral

Child Care Information Line: 1-800-308-9000

]]> All the Feels: Transitioning to Daycare Strong Families AZ 00:09:38 false full 3 5 09ce0f9a-9ba8-4e22-aefa-bcb9dbb07a8b How Soon Can I Get Pregnant Again? How long should families wait after giving birth before getting pregnant again? There’s a lot to consider when making that decision- things like whether you’re ready to have more than one kid in diapers or the cost of childcare- but most importantly, there needs to be enough time between pregnancies for mom’s body to recover.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Doctor Siobhan Dolan, an OB/GYN and clinical geneticist, to talk about how birth spacing keeps moms and their future babies healthy.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Doctor Siobhan Dolan

]]> Wed, 16 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/how-soon-can-i-get-pregnant-again-Nfz7dPs3 How long should families wait after giving birth before getting pregnant again? There’s a lot to consider when making that decision- things like whether you’re ready to have more than one kid in diapers or the cost of childcare- but most importantly, there needs to be enough time between pregnancies for mom’s body to recover.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Doctor Siobhan Dolan, an OB/GYN and clinical geneticist, to talk about how birth spacing keeps moms and their future babies healthy.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Doctor Siobhan Dolan

]]> How Soon Can I Get Pregnant Again? Strong Families AZ 00:09:39 false full 2 5 c3eddc09-3410-4411-9f1c-320a261aa54d Understanding Colic About one in five babies will experience colic, which means they may cry for three hours a day, at least three times a week, for about three weeks, even when they are perfectly healthy. With time, it goes away on its own but it’s important for families to get support while they’re caring for a colicky baby. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks about the challenges of colic and the importance of  support networks with Adrienne Brotherton​​​​, a Birth to Five Helpline Specialist at Southwest Human Development. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Adrienne Brotherton​​​​

The Birth to Five Helpline

Southwest Human Development: Fussy Baby program

]]> Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/understanding-colic-j2_36Li9 About one in five babies will experience colic, which means they may cry for three hours a day, at least three times a week, for about three weeks, even when they are perfectly healthy. With time, it goes away on its own but it’s important for families to get support while they’re caring for a colicky baby. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks about the challenges of colic and the importance of  support networks with Adrienne Brotherton​​​​, a Birth to Five Helpline Specialist at Southwest Human Development. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Adrienne Brotherton​​​​

The Birth to Five Helpline

Southwest Human Development: Fussy Baby program

]]> Understanding Colic Strong Families AZ 00:10:05 false full 1 5 e5fdd54e-79e7-45e2-ab5f-9ff4fbd68d01 Preparing for the Holidays: Making Memories, Minimizing Meltdowns You know that moment when your kiddo’s holiday excitement turns into a meltdown? It’s a familiar scene for many parents— when holiday travel or celebration disrupts kids’ routines, it’s normal for little ones to struggle to manage their feelings. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Maria Lopez​​​​, the Senior Program Manager at the Birth to Five Helpline, about how parents can co-regulate by modeling healthy behavior for their children and ways to prepare your kiddo so the whole family can enjoy the holidays.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Maria Lopez​​​​

The Birth to Five Helpline

]]> Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:43:09 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/preparing-for-the-holidays-making-memories-minimizing-meltdowns-BHUy5c1W You know that moment when your kiddo’s holiday excitement turns into a meltdown? It’s a familiar scene for many parents— when holiday travel or celebration disrupts kids’ routines, it’s normal for little ones to struggle to manage their feelings. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Maria Lopez​​​​, the Senior Program Manager at the Birth to Five Helpline, about how parents can co-regulate by modeling healthy behavior for their children and ways to prepare your kiddo so the whole family can enjoy the holidays.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Maria Lopez​​​​

The Birth to Five Helpline

]]> Preparing for the Holidays: Making Memories, Minimizing Meltdowns Strong Families AZ 00:10:09 false full 17 4 4cb862fe-5c6a-449c-8f21-32e69cfddbe1 The Realities of Single Fatherhood Every year, there are more and more single-father homes. These dedicated dads face unique challenges, including societal stereotypes and biases against fathers. Many navigate their parenting journey without the community support that mothers often receive. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Sleepy Vildosola, a Family Involvement Center Parent Ally and father, to talk about the unique challenges single fathers face in today’s society and the benefits of father education. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Sleepy Vildosola

Family Involvement Center 

Nurturing Fathers

]]> Wed, 11 Dec 2024 14:25:34 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/the-realities-of-single-fatherhood-wpRTPwn4 Every year, there are more and more single-father homes. These dedicated dads face unique challenges, including societal stereotypes and biases against fathers. Many navigate their parenting journey without the community support that mothers often receive. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Sleepy Vildosola, a Family Involvement Center Parent Ally and father, to talk about the unique challenges single fathers face in today’s society and the benefits of father education. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Sleepy Vildosola

Family Involvement Center 

Nurturing Fathers

]]> The Realities of Single Fatherhood Strong Families AZ 00:08:02 false full 16 4 66800aa7-fb3c-4f75-94ea-8d005234edbc Co-Parenting an Infant Co-parenting your newborn is a challenge, but we’re here to confirm it can be done. In this episode, we dive into how to work with your co-parent to meet the needs of your little one while they grow up. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Billie Tarascio, an Arizona family law attorney, owner of Modern Law and co-owner of Win Without Law School. Together, they go over co-parenting an infant from a legal standpoint. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Billie Tarascio

Win Without Law School

]]> Wed, 6 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/co-parenting-an-infant-3zGHCVF0 Co-parenting your newborn is a challenge, but we’re here to confirm it can be done. In this episode, we dive into how to work with your co-parent to meet the needs of your little one while they grow up. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Billie Tarascio, an Arizona family law attorney, owner of Modern Law and co-owner of Win Without Law School. Together, they go over co-parenting an infant from a legal standpoint. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Billie Tarascio

Win Without Law School

]]> Co-Parenting an Infant Strong Families AZ 00:07:12 false full 15 4 74958a99-c083-4491-a32a-f31bfde9d5a6 Parent to Parent: Playdate Safety Playdates are a great way for kids to have fun and develop social skills.. But before parents send their kids over to a friend’s house, it’s important to make sure that the environment they are playing in is safe by checking in with the parents. But this can be a tricky conversation to navigate.

Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sits down with Yomy Castillo, Injury Prevention Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Together, they go through some methods for approaching these conversations with other parents. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Yomy Castillo

AZ Dept. of Health Services- Prevention

]]> Wed, 16 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/parent-to-parent-playdate-safety-3oUhkwRw Playdates are a great way for kids to have fun and develop social skills.. But before parents send their kids over to a friend’s house, it’s important to make sure that the environment they are playing in is safe by checking in with the parents. But this can be a tricky conversation to navigate.

Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sits down with Yomy Castillo, Injury Prevention Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Together, they go through some methods for approaching these conversations with other parents. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Yomy Castillo

AZ Dept. of Health Services- Prevention

]]> Parent to Parent: Playdate Safety Strong Families AZ 00:11:38 false full 14 4 dbf4be45-ccb9-4b39-943d-3b51dbc938c8 Nutrition Before or Between Pregnancies After you give birth, you want to make sure you’re taking the right vitamins. That way, you have all the nutrients you need to support yourself and your growing family. But with so much advice out there about specific brands and postnatal vitamins, it can be hard to tell what’s true and what's not.

Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sorts it out with Susie Leo, a Professional Parent and Child Health Dietitian for the Arizona Department of Health Services and registered dietitian nutritionist with the Power Me A2Z program. Together, they explain everything parents need to know about prenatal vitamins and vitamin recommendations between pregnancies.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Susie Leo

Power Me A2Z

]]> Wed, 2 Oct 2024 13:30:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/nutrition-before-or-between-pregnancies-6oBYFJwr After you give birth, you want to make sure you’re taking the right vitamins. That way, you have all the nutrients you need to support yourself and your growing family. But with so much advice out there about specific brands and postnatal vitamins, it can be hard to tell what’s true and what's not.

Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sorts it out with Susie Leo, a Professional Parent and Child Health Dietitian for the Arizona Department of Health Services and registered dietitian nutritionist with the Power Me A2Z program. Together, they explain everything parents need to know about prenatal vitamins and vitamin recommendations between pregnancies.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She enjoys spending time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, focused on normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Susie Leo

Power Me A2Z

]]> Nutrition Before or Between Pregnancies Strong Families AZ 00:10:06 false full 13 4 ea3301cd-6c3f-468c-82ee-e00468ab5525 Live from Home Visiting Conference: Women-Headed Households On the final day of the 2024 Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Pamela Stewart to discuss the history of women-headed households and how that impacts families today. 

Guest: 

Dr. Pamela Stewart

Historian, Educator and Consultant

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

ACTIVHISTorian

]]> Wed, 18 Sep 2024 20:57:06 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/live-from-home-visiting-conference-women-headed-households-XXSnBrNX On the final day of the 2024 Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Dr. Pamela Stewart to discuss the history of women-headed households and how that impacts families today. 

Guest: 

Dr. Pamela Stewart

Historian, Educator and Consultant

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

ACTIVHISTorian

]]> Live from Home Visiting Conference: Women-Headed Households Strong Families AZ 00:05:20 false full 12 4 e87c7071-16f9-4369-b6cf-20d023aad9a3 Live from Home Visiting Conference: Functional Homes In a live interview from the 13th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with KC Davis on how to help parents overcome cleaning roadblocks. The conversation aims to teach parents they’re not bad people if they struggle to do care tasks, like laundry or cleaning the kid's playroom. Listen to learn how to create a more functional home that meets your family's needs.

 

Guest: 

KC Davis

Licensed Professional Counselor,

Author, Speaker, Podcaster

 

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

Struggle Care- A Website For Those Who Struggle To Complete Care Tasks

How To Keep House While Drowning

]]> Wed, 18 Sep 2024 15:20:32 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/live-from-home-visiting-conference-functional-home-AQQ5_1WF In a live interview from the 13th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with KC Davis on how to help parents overcome cleaning roadblocks. The conversation aims to teach parents they’re not bad people if they struggle to do care tasks, like laundry or cleaning the kid's playroom. Listen to learn how to create a more functional home that meets your family's needs.

 

Guest: 

KC Davis

Licensed Professional Counselor,

Author, Speaker, Podcaster

 

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

Struggle Care- A Website For Those Who Struggle To Complete Care Tasks

How To Keep House While Drowning

]]> Live from Home Visiting Conference: Functional Homes Strong Families AZ 00:04:16 false full 11 4 61e98ce6-d6a3-4f79-aae3-b78f22f57c31 Live from Home Visiting Conference: Adverse Childhood Experiences This week, live from the 13th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez interviews Dr. Martín Celaya. They discuss adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and how parents can create a safer environment for children.

Guest: 

Dr. Martín Celaya

Chief, Bureau of Assessment and Evaluation

Division of Public Health - Prevention Services

Arizona Department of Health Services

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Tue, 17 Sep 2024 22:13:59 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/live-from-home-visiting-conference-adverse-childhood-experiences-H_6gFl9s This week, live from the 13th annual Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez interviews Dr. Martín Celaya. They discuss adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and how parents can create a safer environment for children.

Guest: 

Dr. Martín Celaya

Chief, Bureau of Assessment and Evaluation

Division of Public Health - Prevention Services

Arizona Department of Health Services

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Live from Home Visiting Conference: Adverse Childhood Experiences Strong Families AZ 00:03:15 false full 10 4 fe774665-6839-4d59-9a9f-db0b31d566ae Live from Home Visiting Conference: Co-Parenting Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 13th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez interviews Dr. Kyle Pruett about building trust as co-parents. Listen to learn how to keep the baby at the center of parenting decisions, not the previous relationship between co-parents. 

Guest: 

Dr. Kyle Pruett

Clinical Professor of Psychiatry

Yale School of Medicine

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Tue, 17 Sep 2024 17:06:54 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/live-from-home-visiting-conference-co-parenting-PkYqE5Ug Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 13th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez interviews Dr. Kyle Pruett about building trust as co-parents. Listen to learn how to keep the baby at the center of parenting decisions, not the previous relationship between co-parents. 

Guest: 

Dr. Kyle Pruett

Clinical Professor of Psychiatry

Yale School of Medicine

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Live from Home Visiting Conference: Co-Parenting Strong Families AZ 00:04:43 false full 9 4 4416a9f5-b1f8-4f2d-a8a6-21f313c149c1 Live from Home Visiting Conference: Native American Substance Use and Mental Health Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 13th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez interviews Dr. John Molina about the impact of Substance Use and Mental Health on Native American families. Tune in to learn about culturally appropriate ways to talk to children about substance abuse in a way they can understand. 

Guest: 

Dr. John Molina

Director, Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care

 

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Mon, 16 Sep 2024 22:25:12 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/live-from-home-visiting-conference-native-american-substance-use-and-mental-health-jaTusru6 Live this week from the Strong Families AZ 13th annual Home Visiting Conference, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez interviews Dr. John Molina about the impact of Substance Use and Mental Health on Native American families. Tune in to learn about culturally appropriate ways to talk to children about substance abuse in a way they can understand. 

Guest: 

Dr. John Molina

Director, Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care

 

Resources:

Strong Families AZ

]]> Live from Home Visiting Conference: Native American Substance Use and Mental Health Strong Families AZ 00:04:11 false full 8 4 5e3d549b-2c70-4003-929b-a39a8254ae18 Beyond Baby Blues: Understanding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) are mental health conditions that can occur during pregnancy or within a year after delivery. Many families feel afraid to talk about PMAD, but we want families to know that they are not alone, it's not anyone’s fault, and with support, things will get better.

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez talks with Rachel Flater, the Postpartum Support International Support Coordinator, about differentiating normal feelings from disorders and how to support people with perinatal mood disorders.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Rachel Flater

Postpartum Support International: Helpline and over 25 FREE support groups under the Get Help tab

Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line: free service for medication providers

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

]]> Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/beyond-baby-blues-understanding-perinatal-mood-and-anxiety-disorders-LDfDGaW_ Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) are mental health conditions that can occur during pregnancy or within a year after delivery. Many families feel afraid to talk about PMAD, but we want families to know that they are not alone, it's not anyone’s fault, and with support, things will get better.

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez talks with Rachel Flater, the Postpartum Support International Support Coordinator, about differentiating normal feelings from disorders and how to support people with perinatal mood disorders.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Rachel Flater

Postpartum Support International: Helpline and over 25 FREE support groups under the Get Help tab

Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line: free service for medication providers

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

]]> Beyond Baby Blues: Understanding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Strong Families AZ 00:10:02 false full 7 4 4d590eeb-54eb-4e6d-a60c-682a8437df16 FAA Family-Friendly Flying Tips Whether you’re planning your first family trip or you’ve done it before, flying with young children is challenging. With so many things to keep track of, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. 

Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez visits with Jodi Baker, the Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to learn tips and information to help make your family’s travel experience smooth. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Jodi Baker

FAA: Flying with Children Webpage

FAA: About Child Restraint Systems (CRS)

FAA: How to install a Forward-Facing Child Seat in an Airplane

FAA: How to install a Rear-Facing Child Seat in an Airplane

FAA: FAA-Approved Child Harness Device (CARES)

FAA: How to install the CARES Device in an Airplane

FAA: Tips for Parents

FAA: Seat Fit

]]> Wed, 7 Aug 2024 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/faa-family-friendly-flying-tips-x58IllVb Whether you’re planning your first family trip or you’ve done it before, flying with young children is challenging. With so many things to keep track of, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. 

Host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez visits with Jodi Baker, the Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to learn tips and information to help make your family’s travel experience smooth. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Jodi Baker

FAA: Flying with Children Webpage

FAA: About Child Restraint Systems (CRS)

FAA: How to install a Forward-Facing Child Seat in an Airplane

FAA: How to install a Rear-Facing Child Seat in an Airplane

FAA: FAA-Approved Child Harness Device (CARES)

FAA: How to install the CARES Device in an Airplane

FAA: Tips for Parents

FAA: Seat Fit

]]> FAA Family-Friendly Flying Tips Strong Families AZ 00:09:12 false full 6 4 ee466c90-d61f-4b06-ba92-685c10610e41 Navigating Distractions with Kids in the Car Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car crashes in Arizona. Like other distractions, kids can cause their parents or caregivers to lose focus on safe driving.

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sits down with Jesse Torrez, the Director of Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety, and Gabby Gallegos, the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety Occupant Protection Coordinator, to help parents focus on safety and handle distractions while driving with kids. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Jesse Torrez

Guest: Gabby Gallegos

Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety

]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:24:14 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/navigating-distractions-with-kids-in-the-car-OR2IB_cB Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car crashes in Arizona. Like other distractions, kids can cause their parents or caregivers to lose focus on safe driving.

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sits down with Jesse Torrez, the Director of Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety, and Gabby Gallegos, the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety Occupant Protection Coordinator, to help parents focus on safety and handle distractions while driving with kids. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Jesse Torrez

Guest: Gabby Gallegos

Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety

]]> Navigating Distractions with Kids in the Car Strong Families AZ 00:08:55 false full 5 4 8873e888-ad1d-4175-93ff-796ba4cb5091 Special Edition: Prenatal Care with Jen Hamilton Prenatal care helps families have the healthiest pregnancy possible all the way up until the baby arrives. But the process can seem overwhelming if you haven’t done it before, or if you’ve heard some of the common myths about it.

That’s why Jessica sat down with Jen Hamilton, board-certified labor & delivery nurse and Founder of Hot Mess Express, to answer your questions about prenatal care. In this episode, learn about prenatal care, informed consent, what it means to plan your birth vibes, and more. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Jen Hamilton

Jen Hamilton Instagram

Jen Hamilton Tiktok

Hot Mess Express

]]> Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/special-edition-prenatal-care-with-jen-hamilton-VrtKVsfU Prenatal care helps families have the healthiest pregnancy possible all the way up until the baby arrives. But the process can seem overwhelming if you haven’t done it before, or if you’ve heard some of the common myths about it.

That’s why Jessica sat down with Jen Hamilton, board-certified labor & delivery nurse and Founder of Hot Mess Express, to answer your questions about prenatal care. In this episode, learn about prenatal care, informed consent, what it means to plan your birth vibes, and more. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Jen Hamilton

Jen Hamilton Instagram

Jen Hamilton Tiktok

Hot Mess Express

]]> Special Edition: Prenatal Care with Jen Hamilton Strong Families AZ 00:17:45 false full 4 4 33affdde-b1a9-4a68-afc7-d7a78737ac79 Formula + Breastfeeding Essentials If you are a new parent, feeding your newborn can raise a lot of questions. But don’t worry, this episode covers everything you need to know to make sure your baby is getting all the nutrients needed, whether you're using breast milk or formula.

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez talks to Amanda Shumway, the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program Manager for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Arizona WIC Program 24 Hour Breastfeeding Hotline

To participate in the Arizona WIC Peer Counseling Program or to work with WIC Registered Dieticians, you must be enrolled in the WIC program. Find out if you qualify here.

To find out if you are eligible to join the WIC Staff Breastfeeding Boot Camp, contact Amanda Shumway at amanda.shumway@azdhs.gov or Zarina Ahlstrom at zarina.ahlstrom@azdhs.gov

]]> Wed, 22 May 2024 15:34:50 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/formula-breastfeeding-essentials-R7jTMfcW If you are a new parent, feeding your newborn can raise a lot of questions. But don’t worry, this episode covers everything you need to know to make sure your baby is getting all the nutrients needed, whether you're using breast milk or formula.

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez talks to Amanda Shumway, the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program Manager for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Arizona WIC Program 24 Hour Breastfeeding Hotline

To participate in the Arizona WIC Peer Counseling Program or to work with WIC Registered Dieticians, you must be enrolled in the WIC program. Find out if you qualify here.

To find out if you are eligible to join the WIC Staff Breastfeeding Boot Camp, contact Amanda Shumway at amanda.shumway@azdhs.gov or Zarina Ahlstrom at zarina.ahlstrom@azdhs.gov

]]> Formula + Breastfeeding Essentials Strong Families AZ 00:08:52 false full 3 4 3da7eb90-98de-4031-963f-a6881e514b6a 1 Sheep 2 Sheep Getting to Sleep Are you a parent struggling to get your little one to fall asleep? Well, you're not alone! Sleep is essential for a child's healthy development and well-being, but sometimes it can be a real challenge. One safe and effective way to help children fall asleep is by giving them melatonin.

Jessica chats with Dr. Rupali Drewek, the medical director of the Sleep Disorders Program at Phoenix Children's Hospital and a board certified pediatrician. Dr. Drewek answers all important questions about melatonin and explains sleep hygiene.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 1 May 2024 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/1-sheep-2-sheep-getting-to-sleep-No8SfS5g Are you a parent struggling to get your little one to fall asleep? Well, you're not alone! Sleep is essential for a child's healthy development and well-being, but sometimes it can be a real challenge. One safe and effective way to help children fall asleep is by giving them melatonin.

Jessica chats with Dr. Rupali Drewek, the medical director of the Sleep Disorders Program at Phoenix Children's Hospital and a board certified pediatrician. Dr. Drewek answers all important questions about melatonin and explains sleep hygiene.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> 1 Sheep 2 Sheep Getting to Sleep Strong Families AZ 00:10:05 false full 2 4 9474951b-7302-4e01-8a41-bdd75b300345 The Kid-Friendly Party Guide Are you planning to have a party with family and friends? We have a guide to help make sure your celebration is safe for kids who may be in attendance. Jessica sits down with Emily Flanigan, the Program Strategy Specialist of Children's Health at First Things First, to discuss how to keep kids safe during family gatherings, especially when alcohol and breakable dishes are involved. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Home Safety Checklist

Household Safety for Babies

First Things First

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 21 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/the-kid-friendly-party-guide-_zr2t7oJ Are you planning to have a party with family and friends? We have a guide to help make sure your celebration is safe for kids who may be in attendance. Jessica sits down with Emily Flanigan, the Program Strategy Specialist of Children's Health at First Things First, to discuss how to keep kids safe during family gatherings, especially when alcohol and breakable dishes are involved. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Home Safety Checklist

Household Safety for Babies

First Things First

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> The Kid-Friendly Party Guide Strong Families AZ 00:08:47 false full 1 4 c88dbf6e-7523-4047-8896-e44ab411e273 Keep Your Home Kid-Safe ​​Regular home maintenance can prevent accidents before they happen. It's easy to stay on top of these necessary chores by setting yearly reminders. That way, you won't fall behind on checking to make sure things like plumbing vents and traps are in working order for the year.

Jessica speaks with Adam Rodriguez, the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program Director at the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at the Arizona Department of Health Services, about how to keep your home safe for you and your family. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Fire Safety

AZDHS: Home Safety Tips

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 27 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/keep-your-home-kid-safe-yYyejQua ​​Regular home maintenance can prevent accidents before they happen. It's easy to stay on top of these necessary chores by setting yearly reminders. That way, you won't fall behind on checking to make sure things like plumbing vents and traps are in working order for the year.

Jessica speaks with Adam Rodriguez, the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program Director at the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at the Arizona Department of Health Services, about how to keep your home safe for you and your family. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Fire Safety

AZDHS: Home Safety Tips

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Keep Your Home Kid-Safe Strong Families AZ 00:06:43 false full 10 3 05c70630-5313-4344-9d99-2cfe4d4c6012 Checking Baby’s Hearing Infant Sensory Screenings measure a newborn’s hearing and seeing. When hearing loss is detected early on, families can start exploring interventions sooner to support their little ones as they grow up.

Jessica chats with Morgan Scadden, Sensory Screening Program Manager with the Arizona Department of Health Services, about the screening process and why it's important to take the screening seriously.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

NTRC: Arizona Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Information

AZDHS Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Baby Hearing.org

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 13 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/checking-babys-hearing-2kMp85GQ Infant Sensory Screenings measure a newborn’s hearing and seeing. When hearing loss is detected early on, families can start exploring interventions sooner to support their little ones as they grow up.

Jessica chats with Morgan Scadden, Sensory Screening Program Manager with the Arizona Department of Health Services, about the screening process and why it's important to take the screening seriously.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

NTRC: Arizona Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Information

AZDHS Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Baby Hearing.org

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Checking Baby’s Hearing Strong Families AZ 00:07:44 false full 9 3 6bb1b715-280b-4fc7-96f6-bcf622922573 Car Seats: Good, Better and Best Practices It can feel like a headache to figure out what car seat is right for a child. Rear-facing car seat, combination seat, or booster seat? That’s why we made this follow-up car seat episode, to help parents safely buckle their kiddos in the car and know when it’s time to transition from a car seat to a booster seat. 

Yomaira Castillo chats with host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez about resources available to help parents with car seats. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

NHTSA: Find The Right Seat

Safe Kids Worldwide: Ultimate Car Seat Guide

Safe Kids Arizona

Season 1 The Parenting Brief: Buckle Up! Car Seat Safety

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 8 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/car-seats-good-better-and-best-practices-wmJphNU2 It can feel like a headache to figure out what car seat is right for a child. Rear-facing car seat, combination seat, or booster seat? That’s why we made this follow-up car seat episode, to help parents safely buckle their kiddos in the car and know when it’s time to transition from a car seat to a booster seat. 

Yomaira Castillo chats with host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez about resources available to help parents with car seats. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

NHTSA: Find The Right Seat

Safe Kids Worldwide: Ultimate Car Seat Guide

Safe Kids Arizona

Season 1 The Parenting Brief: Buckle Up! Car Seat Safety

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Car Seats: Good, Better and Best Practices Strong Families AZ 00:08:02 false full 8 3 06c95eae-d3db-4c69-9c01-231e75a92851 How to Know If Your Child Has Autism Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls according to data from the CDC. That’s because the traditional signs of autism are often difficult to detect depending on the gender a child is assigned at birth. Our guest explains the signs parents should look for and what to do if they think their little one may be showing signs of autism. 

Jessica speaks with Dr. Christopher J. Smith, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center's Chief Science Officer, to learn more about the different ways autism can present in children. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center: Resources and Guides

Arizona Early Intervention Program

The Parenting Brief: Early Intervention for Autism

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Christopher J. Smith, Ph.D.

]]> Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-know-if-your-child-has-autism-JqPfe538 Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls according to data from the CDC. That’s because the traditional signs of autism are often difficult to detect depending on the gender a child is assigned at birth. Our guest explains the signs parents should look for and what to do if they think their little one may be showing signs of autism. 

Jessica speaks with Dr. Christopher J. Smith, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center's Chief Science Officer, to learn more about the different ways autism can present in children. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center: Resources and Guides

Arizona Early Intervention Program

The Parenting Brief: Early Intervention for Autism

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Christopher J. Smith, Ph.D.

]]> How to Know If Your Child Has Autism Strong Families AZ 00:10:15 false full 7 3 9c547cd8-d446-46d3-a535-e345f5069c58 Product Recalls: What Are They? You may have seen an announcement for product recalls on the news or even received notice of a recall from a product you’ve bought in the past. It’s critical to stay up to date about these recalls so that you can have a safe and healthy home environment.

Jessica sits down with Teresa Murray, the Consumer Watchdog for the Arizona PIRG Education Fund and author of the Safe At Home Product recalls report, to find out more about product recalls and tools parents can use to easily get recall alerts. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

U.S. PIRG: NEW REPORT: Product recalls

SaferProducts.gov

Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls

The Parenting Brief: Lead Poisoning: Signs, Risks, and Prevention

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/product-recalls-what-are-they-xswsH2LE You may have seen an announcement for product recalls on the news or even received notice of a recall from a product you’ve bought in the past. It’s critical to stay up to date about these recalls so that you can have a safe and healthy home environment.

Jessica sits down with Teresa Murray, the Consumer Watchdog for the Arizona PIRG Education Fund and author of the Safe At Home Product recalls report, to find out more about product recalls and tools parents can use to easily get recall alerts. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

U.S. PIRG: NEW REPORT: Product recalls

SaferProducts.gov

Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls

The Parenting Brief: Lead Poisoning: Signs, Risks, and Prevention

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Product Recalls: What Are They? Strong Families AZ 00:07:49 false full 6 3 4da74574-e1f9-408b-addf-1ab1a62c5f06 Gestational Diabetes: Serious but Treatable Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can't make enough insulin during your pregnancy. It can be scary for many folks but the good news is – the condition is treatable and often goes away after pregnancy. 

Jessica speaks with Raquelle Weight, a Staff Development Specialist at the Arizona Department of Health Services in the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity, to explain how this condition can affect your pregnancy and ways to prevent it from developing. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

ADHS: Diabetes Program

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 6 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/gestational-diabetes-serious-but-treatable-ZqXpZZVv Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can't make enough insulin during your pregnancy. It can be scary for many folks but the good news is – the condition is treatable and often goes away after pregnancy. 

Jessica speaks with Raquelle Weight, a Staff Development Specialist at the Arizona Department of Health Services in the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity, to explain how this condition can affect your pregnancy and ways to prevent it from developing. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

ADHS: Diabetes Program

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Gestational Diabetes: Serious but Treatable Strong Families AZ 00:08:39 false full 5 3 07f6d4d3-fbb9-4425-9682-368ebf0d0440 How to Navigate the Medical System Routine doctor appointments are important to make sure your kiddo grows up healthy, but navigating the medical system can be overwhelming. This episode explains how often to expect a doctor's visit, how to find the right provider for your family, and what you should know about telehealth pediatrician check-ups.

Jessica speaks with Dr. Miran Song, an Arizona pediatrician and a board member of the Arizona chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, about what parents should expect when searching for a healthcare provider for their little one.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Arizona Chapter of theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics: Dr. Miran Song

Arizona Health Start Program

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 9 Aug 2023 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-navigate-the-medical-system-9JWsblwM Routine doctor appointments are important to make sure your kiddo grows up healthy, but navigating the medical system can be overwhelming. This episode explains how often to expect a doctor's visit, how to find the right provider for your family, and what you should know about telehealth pediatrician check-ups.

Jessica speaks with Dr. Miran Song, an Arizona pediatrician and a board member of the Arizona chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, about what parents should expect when searching for a healthcare provider for their little one.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Arizona Chapter of theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics: Dr. Miran Song

Arizona Health Start Program

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> How to Navigate the Medical System Strong Families AZ 00:07:54 false full 4 3 a4eddba1-aee9-4c47-bbb6-a0912c25c2a8 Safe Crib Practices Good sleep gives your little ones the chance to dream and the energy they need to explore the world around them. Today’s episode reviews crib safety reminders to give you peace of mind while your kiddos sleep tight. 

Yomaira Castillo sits down with host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to discuss everything you need to know about crib safety. They talk about everything from creating safe sleep environments to accessing safe cribs and more. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Safe Kids Arizona

Learn the ABCs of Safe Sleep

Contact us: AZDHS Injury Prevention

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 3 May 2023 13:16:32 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/safe-crib-practices-1lnx1tyO Good sleep gives your little ones the chance to dream and the energy they need to explore the world around them. Today’s episode reviews crib safety reminders to give you peace of mind while your kiddos sleep tight. 

Yomaira Castillo sits down with host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to discuss everything you need to know about crib safety. They talk about everything from creating safe sleep environments to accessing safe cribs and more. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Safe Kids Arizona

Learn the ABCs of Safe Sleep

Contact us: AZDHS Injury Prevention

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Safe Crib Practices Strong Families AZ 00:08:52 false full 3 3 7a091100-0854-40dd-a4e7-7126d7bdbfef Health Plans for Kids The health and safety of children is a top priority for families. Enrolling in health insurance makes going to the doctor much more accessible. But it can be difficult to find an insurance plan that meets your little ones’ needs and fits your family budget. 

We visit with Mark Schafer, the Program Support Administrator at the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, to discuss the low-cost health program called the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Learn the ins and outs of coverage options and how your family can enroll.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

KidsCare - Arizona's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

AHCCCS Covered Services

AHCCCS Available Health Plans

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Mon, 10 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/health-plans-for-kids-ToWonTQI The health and safety of children is a top priority for families. Enrolling in health insurance makes going to the doctor much more accessible. But it can be difficult to find an insurance plan that meets your little ones’ needs and fits your family budget. 

We visit with Mark Schafer, the Program Support Administrator at the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, to discuss the low-cost health program called the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Learn the ins and outs of coverage options and how your family can enroll.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

KidsCare - Arizona's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

AHCCCS Covered Services

AHCCCS Available Health Plans

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Health Plans for Kids Strong Families AZ 00:08:00 false full 2 3 576877a7-d68e-48ec-be09-c709529578b2 Healthy Meals for Kids Do you worry if your child is getting enough nutrients? Or maybe you know that your kiddo is supposed to “eat healthy” but don’t exactly know what that means. In this episode, learn how to put together a nutritious meal for your little ones. Plus discover helpful tools you can use to budget and plan meals for the family.

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Alan Brown, the WIC Training Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services in the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity. Alan shares his knowledge as a registered dietitian to help you build a nutrient-filled meal plan for your family.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Arizona Health Zone

Arizona WIC Program

MyPlate

Arizona SNAP

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Fri, 24 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/healthy-meals-for-kids-ay6xD2vP Do you worry if your child is getting enough nutrients? Or maybe you know that your kiddo is supposed to “eat healthy” but don’t exactly know what that means. In this episode, learn how to put together a nutritious meal for your little ones. Plus discover helpful tools you can use to budget and plan meals for the family.

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Alan Brown, the WIC Training Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services in the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity. Alan shares his knowledge as a registered dietitian to help you build a nutrient-filled meal plan for your family.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Arizona Health Zone

Arizona WIC Program

MyPlate

Arizona SNAP

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Healthy Meals for Kids Strong Families AZ 00:09:44 false full 1 3 979fda98-ec4c-44b6-a58d-b4a82d238941 Potty Training 101 Let’s face it, potty training can be a messy and difficult process. When is the right time to start? How can you help your child avoid accidents? And what should you do if your little one just won’t go? This episode answers those questions and more.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez visits with Erica Desper, the founder of Confident Parenting. Erica is a potty training expert who shares her tips to make the potty training process easier for everyone. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Erica Desper

Five Things to Consider Before Potty Training

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2022 16:21:14 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/potty-training-101-wnjCPH9k Let’s face it, potty training can be a messy and difficult process. When is the right time to start? How can you help your child avoid accidents? And what should you do if your little one just won’t go? This episode answers those questions and more.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez visits with Erica Desper, the founder of Confident Parenting. Erica is a potty training expert who shares her tips to make the potty training process easier for everyone. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Erica Desper

Five Things to Consider Before Potty Training

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Potty Training 101 Strong Families AZ 00:11:08 false full 14 2 d13fe4e1-3ab5-4845-b2d4-599feaeffaca How to Spot Unsafe Toys In this episode, get the safety tips and shopping advice you need to help you make safe holiday gift-buying decisions for your children. 

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Teresa Murray, Consumer Watchdog for Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and author of the Trouble in Toyland 2022 report, to talk about how to avoid buying counterfeit or recalled toys and how to spot safety hazards in the toy aisle. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Teresa Murray

Trouble in Toyland 2022 Report

Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Fri, 23 Dec 2022 18:19:27 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-spot-unsafe-toys-S4Av7KkS In this episode, get the safety tips and shopping advice you need to help you make safe holiday gift-buying decisions for your children. 

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Teresa Murray, Consumer Watchdog for Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and author of the Trouble in Toyland 2022 report, to talk about how to avoid buying counterfeit or recalled toys and how to spot safety hazards in the toy aisle. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Teresa Murray

Trouble in Toyland 2022 Report

Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> How to Spot Unsafe Toys Strong Families AZ 00:09:49 false full 13 2 d7a17b7c-538c-4138-baa6-fb3a76811df9 Safe Haven Laws For some parents, pregnancy may come as an unplanned surprise. And not all families find themselves in a position to care for a newborn. However, there are resources available to help expecting parents avoid a crisis situation.

Safe Haven laws allow parents to safely surrender their newborn to a designated Safe Haven provider. For people who find themselves in a position where they are not ready or are unable to care for a baby, this law protects newborns and helps keep them safe until their care can be determined. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with Heather Burner, the Executive Director of the National Safe Haven Alliance, to learn more about these laws, the impact they have on families, and the resources available to Arizona families.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Arizona Safe Baby Haven Foundation

National Safe Haven Alliance

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 2 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/safe-haven-laws-5gNKg6QR For some parents, pregnancy may come as an unplanned surprise. And not all families find themselves in a position to care for a newborn. However, there are resources available to help expecting parents avoid a crisis situation.

Safe Haven laws allow parents to safely surrender their newborn to a designated Safe Haven provider. For people who find themselves in a position where they are not ready or are unable to care for a baby, this law protects newborns and helps keep them safe until their care can be determined. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with Heather Burner, the Executive Director of the National Safe Haven Alliance, to learn more about these laws, the impact they have on families, and the resources available to Arizona families.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Arizona Safe Baby Haven Foundation

National Safe Haven Alliance

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Safe Haven Laws Strong Families AZ 00:11:41 false full 12 2 6d307028-2501-4ee2-8c1d-dca737635270 Household Cleaning Safety Hacks Cleaning is the gift that keeps on giving because there’s always something more to do. But when you have a baby or toddler in your home, this chore can seem nearly impossible. Add to the equation mop buckets, cleaning chemicals, and other supplies, and before you know it, you could have a safety hazard in the making.

For cleaning hacks and safety tips, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez visits with Adam Rodriguez, the manager of the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program at the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at the Arizona Department of Health Services. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at the Arizona Department of Health Services

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 19 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/household-cleaning-safety-hacks-J5UU4_sH Cleaning is the gift that keeps on giving because there’s always something more to do. But when you have a baby or toddler in your home, this chore can seem nearly impossible. Add to the equation mop buckets, cleaning chemicals, and other supplies, and before you know it, you could have a safety hazard in the making.

For cleaning hacks and safety tips, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez visits with Adam Rodriguez, the manager of the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program at the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at the Arizona Department of Health Services. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at the Arizona Department of Health Services

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Household Cleaning Safety Hacks Strong Families AZ 00:11:14 false full 11 2 aa8636ab-4c0a-4d55-84ae-b47b6db3ff80 Risks of Congenital Syphilis to Babies Cases of syphilis are on the rise in Arizona, particularly among pregnant people and newborn babies. If left untreated, a pregnant person can pass syphilis to their unborn child, which may lead to negative health outcomes. In some cases, syphilis can result in stillbirth or newborn death. 

In this episode, learn about the best ways to protect yourself from syphilis, the symptoms, and available testing and treatment options. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by CDC epidemiologist Bree Anderson to share with parents the best ways to keep themselves, and their baby, safe and healthy.  

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrate all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Arizona Syphilis Outbreak: Women and Babies

Syphilis and Pregnancy

Testing and Prevention

CDC Fact Sheet: Congenital Syphilis 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Thu, 6 Oct 2022 17:44:05 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/risks-of-congenital-syphilis-to-babies-aU2BJ4gr Cases of syphilis are on the rise in Arizona, particularly among pregnant people and newborn babies. If left untreated, a pregnant person can pass syphilis to their unborn child, which may lead to negative health outcomes. In some cases, syphilis can result in stillbirth or newborn death. 

In this episode, learn about the best ways to protect yourself from syphilis, the symptoms, and available testing and treatment options. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by CDC epidemiologist Bree Anderson to share with parents the best ways to keep themselves, and their baby, safe and healthy.  

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrate all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Arizona Syphilis Outbreak: Women and Babies

Syphilis and Pregnancy

Testing and Prevention

CDC Fact Sheet: Congenital Syphilis 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Risks of Congenital Syphilis to Babies Strong Families AZ 00:09:46 false full 10 2 ec50970f-d951-46a6-9080-c194c4504cec The Role of Dads: Part 3 Dad figures play an important role not just in their immediate family, but in their broader community, too. Hear how involved dads can enrich the lives of children, help kids make better decisions, and prepare them for success later in life. 

Allan Stockellburg speaks with host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez for the third and final part of a three-episode series on fatherhood. He shares research that explains why involved dads are good for communities and families. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrate all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Guest: Allan Stockellburg 

Parent Aid

Love Like A Dad

Parent Aid Facebook

Parent Aid Instagram

Dads Do It All

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Thu, 15 Sep 2022 17:16:07 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/the-role-of-dads-part-3-U_J3W_nE Dad figures play an important role not just in their immediate family, but in their broader community, too. Hear how involved dads can enrich the lives of children, help kids make better decisions, and prepare them for success later in life. 

Allan Stockellburg speaks with host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez for the third and final part of a three-episode series on fatherhood. He shares research that explains why involved dads are good for communities and families. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrate all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Guest: Allan Stockellburg 

Parent Aid

Love Like A Dad

Parent Aid Facebook

Parent Aid Instagram

Dads Do It All

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> The Role of Dads: Part 3 Strong Families AZ 00:09:39 false full 9 2 64d87405-7870-4e58-92f9-7a474245c26d The Role of Dads: Part 2 One of the most important relationships when raising a child is the relationship you have with your co-parent. Any partnership can lead to disagreements on the “right” way to do things but it’s important to recognize that children benefit from learning different approaches to life from both their mom and dad.

Allan Stockellburg rejoins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez for the second part of a three-episode series on fatherhood. They talk about why communication and understanding between parents are key to building a positive environment for your little one, and the differences between maternal and paternal parenting styles. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrate all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Guest: Allan Stockellburg 

Parent Aid

Dads Do It All

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 31 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/the-role-of-dads-part-2-ejnETYjK One of the most important relationships when raising a child is the relationship you have with your co-parent. Any partnership can lead to disagreements on the “right” way to do things but it’s important to recognize that children benefit from learning different approaches to life from both their mom and dad.

Allan Stockellburg rejoins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez for the second part of a three-episode series on fatherhood. They talk about why communication and understanding between parents are key to building a positive environment for your little one, and the differences between maternal and paternal parenting styles. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrate all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Guest: Allan Stockellburg 

Parent Aid

Dads Do It All

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> The Role of Dads: Part 2 Strong Families AZ 00:10:10 false full 8 2 089d80c1-ee7e-4615-b4e7-986ea4ff9bc6 The Role of Dads: Part 1 There’s a reason they say it takes a village to raise a child. And that village usually looks different for every family. Positive role models can help our little ones explore and learn more about themselves and their world. Today, we talk about the role dads play in that exploration and how they can help kids see the world from a new perspective. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with “Dad Guru” Allan Stockellburg, the executive director of Parent Aid, about fatherhood, what makes a “dad,” and how to embrace and introduce your child to role models who will push them to learn and grow. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She likes to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and enjoys each accomplishment no matter how big or small. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working to normalize the hard work of parenting, along the way making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Guest: Allan Stockellburg 

Parent Aid

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 17 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/the-role-of-dads-part-1-F0c03Fov There’s a reason they say it takes a village to raise a child. And that village usually looks different for every family. Positive role models can help our little ones explore and learn more about themselves and their world. Today, we talk about the role dads play in that exploration and how they can help kids see the world from a new perspective. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with “Dad Guru” Allan Stockellburg, the executive director of Parent Aid, about fatherhood, what makes a “dad,” and how to embrace and introduce your child to role models who will push them to learn and grow. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She likes to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and enjoys each accomplishment no matter how big or small. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working to normalize the hard work of parenting, along the way making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Guest: Allan Stockellburg 

Parent Aid

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> The Role of Dads: Part 1 Strong Families AZ 00:10:19 false full 7 2 6323aab8-9bf9-4a1a-90e3-c9b87ae728b5 The ABCD’s of Swimming July is the hottest month of the year, which means a lot of time in the pool! And knowing how to keep your kiddos safe while they swim is the best way to ensure that this summer is packed with fun. Swim lessons, life jackets, and physical barriers around pools are just a few of the steps you can take to make swimming an exciting and safe adventure for children.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with Melissa Sutton, the Vice President of the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona, about how parents can keep pool time safe. Plus, learn how to communicate to your child the importance of pool safety in a way they’ll understand. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrate all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona

National Drowning Prevention Alliance

Families United to Prevent Drownings 

Guest: Melissa Sutton

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 27 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/the-abcds-of-swimming-1AahKiPL July is the hottest month of the year, which means a lot of time in the pool! And knowing how to keep your kiddos safe while they swim is the best way to ensure that this summer is packed with fun. Swim lessons, life jackets, and physical barriers around pools are just a few of the steps you can take to make swimming an exciting and safe adventure for children.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with Melissa Sutton, the Vice President of the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona, about how parents can keep pool time safe. Plus, learn how to communicate to your child the importance of pool safety in a way they’ll understand. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrate all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona

National Drowning Prevention Alliance

Families United to Prevent Drownings 

Guest: Melissa Sutton

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> The ABCD’s of Swimming Strong Families AZ 00:11:40 false full 6 2 bbd7d083-744e-464d-bdaa-e63608150575 At-Home Fire Drills Are you prepared for a wildfire or house fire? With children in the home, parents should know how to prepare so that everyone can evacuate quickly and safely during an emergency. This episode tells you how to plan ahead to keep your little ones safe in the kitchen, and instructions for planning an at-home fire drill. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with former firefighter Adam Rodriguez, the manager of the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program at the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at AZDHS. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Fire Safety Fact Sheet

Video: How to Plan and Practice Home Fire Drills 

Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at the Arizona Department of Health Services

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Fri, 15 Jul 2022 13:42:30 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/at-home-fire-drills-xXmefPaL Are you prepared for a wildfire or house fire? With children in the home, parents should know how to prepare so that everyone can evacuate quickly and safely during an emergency. This episode tells you how to plan ahead to keep your little ones safe in the kitchen, and instructions for planning an at-home fire drill. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez speaks with former firefighter Adam Rodriguez, the manager of the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program at the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at AZDHS. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Fire Safety Fact Sheet

Video: How to Plan and Practice Home Fire Drills 

Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at the Arizona Department of Health Services

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> At-Home Fire Drills Strong Families AZ 00:11:14 false full 5 2 f97ea4f0-6df2-434d-8978-b43692f63405 Smoke in Carpet Can Make Kids Sick The environment where our children live, play, and explore can greatly impact their health. Secondhand smoke in the air they breathe can affect a child’s health and wellbeing. But so can thirdhand smoke (yes, that’s a thing!) that lingers in car seats and clothes. Exposure in any form  can make kids sick. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Philip Carpenter, the Executive Director of Arizonans Concerned About Smoking, to help you understand the health complications it can cause and how to minimize your child's exposure. Plus, learn about the resources available to parents through the Arizona Smoke Free Living Program.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Arizona Smoke-Free Living 

Arizonans Concerned About Smoking, inc.

Poverty and Child Health

The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke

Guest: Philip Carpenter

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Fri, 29 Apr 2022 17:58:29 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/smoke-in-carpet-can-make-kids-sick-CqpFTy0E The environment where our children live, play, and explore can greatly impact their health. Secondhand smoke in the air they breathe can affect a child’s health and wellbeing. But so can thirdhand smoke (yes, that’s a thing!) that lingers in car seats and clothes. Exposure in any form  can make kids sick. 

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Philip Carpenter, the Executive Director of Arizonans Concerned About Smoking, to help you understand the health complications it can cause and how to minimize your child's exposure. Plus, learn about the resources available to parents through the Arizona Smoke Free Living Program.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Arizona Smoke-Free Living 

Arizonans Concerned About Smoking, inc.

Poverty and Child Health

The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke

Guest: Philip Carpenter

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Smoke in Carpet Can Make Kids Sick Strong Families AZ 00:07:58 false full 4 2 d4eb6a2f-6abc-4721-8932-26fafd22a63d Achoo! Seasonal Allergy Advice Allergy season is here, signaling the return of runny noses, sneezing, and other uncomfortable allergy symptoms. If your child experiences these symptoms, don’t worry! We have tips for you on how to understand, treat, and overcome your child’s stubborn seasonal allergies.

Dr. Dave Stukus is pediatrician who specializes in allergies, and he joins this episode to explain the difference between allergies and a cold, how parents can keep pollen and allergens out of their homes, and debunks the common “eat local honey” myth. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Dr. Dave Stukus, Social Media Medical Editor, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI)

7 tips on how to treat your child’s allergies

Learn more about allergies

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Strong Families AZ

]]> Thu, 24 Mar 2022 21:36:59 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/achoo-seasonal-allergy-advice-Q0L7D0vn Allergy season is here, signaling the return of runny noses, sneezing, and other uncomfortable allergy symptoms. If your child experiences these symptoms, don’t worry! We have tips for you on how to understand, treat, and overcome your child’s stubborn seasonal allergies.

Dr. Dave Stukus is pediatrician who specializes in allergies, and he joins this episode to explain the difference between allergies and a cold, how parents can keep pollen and allergens out of their homes, and debunks the common “eat local honey” myth. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

Guest: Dr. Dave Stukus, Social Media Medical Editor, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI)

7 tips on how to treat your child’s allergies

Learn more about allergies

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Strong Families AZ

]]> Achoo! Seasonal Allergy Advice Strong Families AZ 00:09:37 false full 3 2 30ebff6e-d9e7-4275-8b00-7b7699aa0231 Vitamins and Pregnancy Health Did you know the health of your baby starts long before conception? Vitamins play a major role in reducing the risks of birth defects. Even if you don’t plan to become pregnant, multivitamins with folic acid have numerous health benefits that can help you, and potentially a future baby, live a healthy life.

Susie Leo MPH, RDN from the Power Me A2Z program at the Arizona Department of Health Services helps us understand the vitamins expecting parents should take to ensure a more healthy pregnancy. She explains folic acid and tells us how it can decrease the risk of birth defects. Whether or not you plan to become pregnant, find out how you can receive a free 3 month supply of multivitamins from the Powerpack program. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

PowerMeA2Z.org

Vitamins | PowerMe A2Z

Take this quiz to test your health IQ | PowerMe A2Z

Health Resource Order Form | PowerMe A2Z

Susie Leo, MPH, RDN

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 9 Mar 2022 11:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/vitamins-and-pregnancy-health-1WAWn4HD Did you know the health of your baby starts long before conception? Vitamins play a major role in reducing the risks of birth defects. Even if you don’t plan to become pregnant, multivitamins with folic acid have numerous health benefits that can help you, and potentially a future baby, live a healthy life.

Susie Leo MPH, RDN from the Power Me A2Z program at the Arizona Department of Health Services helps us understand the vitamins expecting parents should take to ensure a more healthy pregnancy. She explains folic acid and tells us how it can decrease the risk of birth defects. Whether or not you plan to become pregnant, find out how you can receive a free 3 month supply of multivitamins from the Powerpack program. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links: 

PowerMeA2Z.org

Vitamins | PowerMe A2Z

Take this quiz to test your health IQ | PowerMe A2Z

Health Resource Order Form | PowerMe A2Z

Susie Leo, MPH, RDN

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Vitamins and Pregnancy Health Strong Families AZ 00:10:01 false full 2 2 cb535558-cbb6-4555-b69c-d35d56f10702 Goal-Setting Tips for Parents A new year brings new goals! But sticking with those goals, especially for busy parents, can be difficult. Between diaper changes and meal prepping, personal time for mom and dad can slip to the backburner. But it doesn’t have to be that way! 

Olivia DeLong, senior health editor at BabyCenter, and a mom herself, joins the podcast with some time management hacks to help you achieve your 2022 goals. Join host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez as you learn how to write an achievable new year resolution!

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Meditation App

Olivia’s Book Recommendation: Atomic Habits

Free Planner Downloads

Guest: Olivia DeLong

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:43:28 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/goal-setting-tips-for-parents-cPtVe_ZG A new year brings new goals! But sticking with those goals, especially for busy parents, can be difficult. Between diaper changes and meal prepping, personal time for mom and dad can slip to the backburner. But it doesn’t have to be that way! 

Olivia DeLong, senior health editor at BabyCenter, and a mom herself, joins the podcast with some time management hacks to help you achieve your 2022 goals. Join host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez as you learn how to write an achievable new year resolution!

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Meditation App

Olivia’s Book Recommendation: Atomic Habits

Free Planner Downloads

Guest: Olivia DeLong

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Goal-Setting Tips for Parents Strong Families AZ 00:12:59 false full 1 2 1dd0b6de-799a-444b-9fe2-12d7d714791d Let’s Make Learning Fun! Toys and games aren’t just for fun and entertainment. They can also help your little ones grow and develop, turning playtime into a learning experience! With thousands of toys available online, knowing simply what kinds of toys are developmentally appropriate isn’t always easy. 

That’s where this episode can help! Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with pediatric occupational therapist and toy blogger Keri Wilmot, who offers her tips to help you find toys that fit your child’s developmental needs. She also tells us how playtime and education go hand in hand. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Top 10 Learning Games for Toddlers

13 Fun Games & Play Ideas When the Babysitter is in Charge

The Genius of Play

Age-by-Age Toy Guide

ToyQueen.com

Guest: Keri Wilmot

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Thu, 16 Dec 2021 15:38:26 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/lets-make-learning-fun-wZqlwiG_ Toys and games aren’t just for fun and entertainment. They can also help your little ones grow and develop, turning playtime into a learning experience! With thousands of toys available online, knowing simply what kinds of toys are developmentally appropriate isn’t always easy. 

That’s where this episode can help! Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez talks with pediatric occupational therapist and toy blogger Keri Wilmot, who offers her tips to help you find toys that fit your child’s developmental needs. She also tells us how playtime and education go hand in hand. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Top 10 Learning Games for Toddlers

13 Fun Games & Play Ideas When the Babysitter is in Charge

The Genius of Play

Age-by-Age Toy Guide

ToyQueen.com

Guest: Keri Wilmot

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Let’s Make Learning Fun! Strong Families AZ 00:11:59 false full 24 1 d564ceaf-6619-42e4-9511-d320ee3270e7 Toy Safety Guide The gift-giving season is here! For little ones, receiving a new toy is exciting. But it’s up to us parents to make sure that our children are playing with toys that are safe. That involves reviewing age recommendations, keeping small parts out of reach, and storing “big kid” toys safely away from toddlers and infants. 

Emily Samuel of Safe Kids Worldwide joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to walk parents through a toy safety checklist. Find out what to look out for when in the toy aisle, and how to ensure that playtime with toys is both fun and safe. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Parent's Guide to Child Safety (English)

Parent’s Guide to Child Safety (Spanish)

Safe Kids Family Safety Activity Book (English)

Safe Kids Family Safety Activity Book (Spanish)

Button Battery Tip Card

Guest: Emily Samuel

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 1 Dec 2021 14:45:59 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/toy-safety-guide-DxdPaD7F The gift-giving season is here! For little ones, receiving a new toy is exciting. But it’s up to us parents to make sure that our children are playing with toys that are safe. That involves reviewing age recommendations, keeping small parts out of reach, and storing “big kid” toys safely away from toddlers and infants. 

Emily Samuel of Safe Kids Worldwide joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to walk parents through a toy safety checklist. Find out what to look out for when in the toy aisle, and how to ensure that playtime with toys is both fun and safe. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Parent's Guide to Child Safety (English)

Parent’s Guide to Child Safety (Spanish)

Safe Kids Family Safety Activity Book (English)

Safe Kids Family Safety Activity Book (Spanish)

Button Battery Tip Card

Guest: Emily Samuel

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Toy Safety Guide Strong Families AZ 00:09:49 false full 23 1 d2274e72-8c5c-437b-94db-c1c197d5d4d7 Picky Eaters and Holiday Foods Holiday foods are often a special treat for adults. But for toddlers, especially picky eaters, convincing them to try new meals can turn the dinner table into a battleground. Do you encourage them to taste new foods? Or do you let them eat their fill of dinner rolls instead?

To answer these questions, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez consults with Alan Brown, the Women, Infants, and Children’s Training Manager in the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity at Arizona’s Department of Health Services. He shares his tips for making family holiday meals enjoyable. Plus, how to appease the picky eaters in your family. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

WIC Arizona

Listen Again: Time for Table Foods?

AZ Health Zone

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Thu, 18 Nov 2021 15:18:57 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/picky-eaters-and-holiday-foods-eCP4pg8J Holiday foods are often a special treat for adults. But for toddlers, especially picky eaters, convincing them to try new meals can turn the dinner table into a battleground. Do you encourage them to taste new foods? Or do you let them eat their fill of dinner rolls instead?

To answer these questions, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez consults with Alan Brown, the Women, Infants, and Children’s Training Manager in the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity at Arizona’s Department of Health Services. He shares his tips for making family holiday meals enjoyable. Plus, how to appease the picky eaters in your family. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

WIC Arizona

Listen Again: Time for Table Foods?

AZ Health Zone

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Picky Eaters and Holiday Foods Strong Families AZ 00:10:53 false full 22 1 b9900d8b-9e16-4b3c-9e75-e6a6cac5c35d Traffic Safety Tips for Kids The weather is finally perfect for playground visits, neighborhood walks, and bike rides. As we are out and about with our kiddos in tow, there’s a lot to know about staying safe outside! From crossing roads while holding your toddler’s hand to walking through a busy parking lot, traffic safety is key. Plus, it’s a great time to teach safety tips to your little ones traveling with you.

Nadji Kirby of Safe Kids Worldwide joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to discuss helpful safety advice for parents of young children. Learn how to safely enjoy your walks, board public transportation, and cross the street with your kids! 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Parent’s Guide to Child Safety

Safe Kids Worldwide

Guest: Nadji Kirby

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 3 Nov 2021 17:46:33 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/traffic-safety-tips-for-kids-lNWhjIEv The weather is finally perfect for playground visits, neighborhood walks, and bike rides. As we are out and about with our kiddos in tow, there’s a lot to know about staying safe outside! From crossing roads while holding your toddler’s hand to walking through a busy parking lot, traffic safety is key. Plus, it’s a great time to teach safety tips to your little ones traveling with you.

Nadji Kirby of Safe Kids Worldwide joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to discuss helpful safety advice for parents of young children. Learn how to safely enjoy your walks, board public transportation, and cross the street with your kids! 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Parent’s Guide to Child Safety

Safe Kids Worldwide

Guest: Nadji Kirby

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Traffic Safety Tips for Kids Strong Families AZ 00:09:15 false full 21 1 77b331af-d51d-42bd-8c3c-febe49112896 All About Childhood Vaccines We roll up our sleeves on this episode to talk about all things vaccines! From infancy to childhood, your family doctor or pediatrician will recommend a schedule of vaccines to keep your kids healthy and protected from serious illnesses. Plus, vaccines allow them to play with friends and attend daycare and school safely!

Retired pediatrician and Board President of The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI) Dr. Andrea Houfek joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to tell parents what to expect with childhood vaccinations. Learn about the recommended vaccine schedule, what diseases are covered, and why vaccines are a key part of your child’s healthcare. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Arizona Partnership for Immunizations

Vaccines for Infants

Vaccines for Toddlers

Vaccines for School Aged Children

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Fri, 22 Oct 2021 15:54:07 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/all-about-childhood-vaccines-1tG5OQuX We roll up our sleeves on this episode to talk about all things vaccines! From infancy to childhood, your family doctor or pediatrician will recommend a schedule of vaccines to keep your kids healthy and protected from serious illnesses. Plus, vaccines allow them to play with friends and attend daycare and school safely!

Retired pediatrician and Board President of The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI) Dr. Andrea Houfek joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to tell parents what to expect with childhood vaccinations. Learn about the recommended vaccine schedule, what diseases are covered, and why vaccines are a key part of your child’s healthcare. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Arizona Partnership for Immunizations

Vaccines for Infants

Vaccines for Toddlers

Vaccines for School Aged Children

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> All About Childhood Vaccines Strong Families AZ 00:12:21 false full 20 1 b81a190b-627d-45f4-a2f1-427e4b96f6c0 Well Child Visits Doctor’s appointments aren’t just for sick children. So think again before putting off your kiddo’s routine well child visit! 

Pediatrician Dr. Jason Vargas joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to share what doctors look for during these yearly exams (beyond just height and weight), why they’re important for catching health concerns early, and the questions parents should ask during these appointments. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Checkup Checklists

HealthyChildren.org

Guest: Jason Vargas, MD

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 6 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/well-child-visits-CTzE2Bnt Doctor’s appointments aren’t just for sick children. So think again before putting off your kiddo’s routine well child visit! 

Pediatrician Dr. Jason Vargas joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to share what doctors look for during these yearly exams (beyond just height and weight), why they’re important for catching health concerns early, and the questions parents should ask during these appointments. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Checkup Checklists

HealthyChildren.org

Guest: Jason Vargas, MD

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Well Child Visits Strong Families AZ 00:12:06 false full 19 1 6c2387de-835f-4495-a783-edabb7589779 Buckle Up! Car Seat Safety Lost in the store’s car seat aisle? Unsure how to install your baby’s car seat? If you’re shopping for a newborn car seat or looking for the next sized seat for your little one, we’ve got you covered.

This episode tells you what to look for when purchasing a car seat, how to install it, and what to know about expiration dates, rear-facing seats, and more. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Yomaira Castillo, the Injury Prevention Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services. In language simpler than what you’d find in a car user guide, they’ll help you understand how to keep your children safe while riding in a vehicle. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Tool: Find the Right Seat

Car Seats: Information for Families

Arizona Occupant Protection: Children Are Priceless Passengers (CAPP)

Phoenix Children’s Child Passenger Safety Program

Tucson Medical Center Children are Priceless Passengers (CAPP) Classes

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 22 Sep 2021 15:58:45 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/buckle-up-car-seat-safety-TBVC7YXT Lost in the store’s car seat aisle? Unsure how to install your baby’s car seat? If you’re shopping for a newborn car seat or looking for the next sized seat for your little one, we’ve got you covered.

This episode tells you what to look for when purchasing a car seat, how to install it, and what to know about expiration dates, rear-facing seats, and more. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Yomaira Castillo, the Injury Prevention Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services. In language simpler than what you’d find in a car user guide, they’ll help you understand how to keep your children safe while riding in a vehicle. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Tool: Find the Right Seat

Car Seats: Information for Families

Arizona Occupant Protection: Children Are Priceless Passengers (CAPP)

Phoenix Children’s Child Passenger Safety Program

Tucson Medical Center Children are Priceless Passengers (CAPP) Classes

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Buckle Up! Car Seat Safety Strong Families AZ 00:10:59 false full 18 1 c40a9689-50eb-43d7-8e41-6d026aad1498 Health Disparities and Stillbirth Health disparities put Black mothers at a higher risk of stillbirth and other pregnancy complications. Because of this, moms need to know how to advocate for themselves in the doctor’s office. And they need to know how to spot the signs of stillbirth that are critical for their health and that of their unborn baby. 

On this episode, we continue our conversation about stillbirth prevention with Stephaney Moody, Health Equity Coordinator at Healthy Birth Day. She talks with host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez about the health disparities facing Black mothers, how those inequities impact stillbirth rates, and ways that mothers can advocate for themselves throughout their pregnancy journey. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Race Disparities in Stillbirth

Guest: Stephaney Moody

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 8 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/health-disparities-and-stillbirth-vXlY0ngK Health disparities put Black mothers at a higher risk of stillbirth and other pregnancy complications. Because of this, moms need to know how to advocate for themselves in the doctor’s office. And they need to know how to spot the signs of stillbirth that are critical for their health and that of their unborn baby. 

On this episode, we continue our conversation about stillbirth prevention with Stephaney Moody, Health Equity Coordinator at Healthy Birth Day. She talks with host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez about the health disparities facing Black mothers, how those inequities impact stillbirth rates, and ways that mothers can advocate for themselves throughout their pregnancy journey. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Race Disparities in Stillbirth

Guest: Stephaney Moody

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Health Disparities and Stillbirth Strong Families AZ 00:11:00 false full 17 1 5e40978a-f2ba-4855-9990-15b0bbb95d29 Your Postpartum Health Bringing a new baby into this world is a lot of work. And while you take care of your little one, your own health is just as important. Knowing the warning signs for postpartum health complications can help you take care of your physical and mental health as you enter this new stage of life. 

Heidi Christensen, the Maternal Health Innovation Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services, joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to share what new moms should know about postpartum health complications and when it’s time to call the doctor.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

CDC Hear Her

Maternal Health Resources

Guest: Heidi Christensen 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Thu, 26 Aug 2021 21:49:59 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/your-postpartum-health-e_qyfsiH Bringing a new baby into this world is a lot of work. And while you take care of your little one, your own health is just as important. Knowing the warning signs for postpartum health complications can help you take care of your physical and mental health as you enter this new stage of life. 

Heidi Christensen, the Maternal Health Innovation Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services, joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to share what new moms should know about postpartum health complications and when it’s time to call the doctor.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

CDC Hear Her

Maternal Health Resources

Guest: Heidi Christensen 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Your Postpartum Health Strong Families AZ 00:11:35 false full 16 1 8c307f16-b0db-4e10-b171-09901f7c7ebe Back to School Hearing and Vision Screenings It’s back to school time in Arizona! If you have children in preschool or kindergarten, one of the many things you’ll get information about is hearing and vision screenings. The free sensory screenings will help alert you to issues and prepare a healthcare and education plan to help your child succeed. 

Ashley Neves, Sensory Screening Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services, joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to explain everything you need to know about these important screenings. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

ADHS Sensory Screening Program

Guest: Ashley Neves

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 11 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/back-to-school-hearing-and-vision-screenings-1uI6xNiA It’s back to school time in Arizona! If you have children in preschool or kindergarten, one of the many things you’ll get information about is hearing and vision screenings. The free sensory screenings will help alert you to issues and prepare a healthcare and education plan to help your child succeed. 

Ashley Neves, Sensory Screening Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services, joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to explain everything you need to know about these important screenings. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

ADHS Sensory Screening Program

Guest: Ashley Neves

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Back to School Hearing and Vision Screenings Strong Families AZ 00:08:33 false full 15 1 5d54164d-6dc9-404e-a56f-c009b5a2bd2a Early Intervention for Autism Do you know the signs of autism? Early intervention for children with autism is important to a child’s developmental growth and wellbeing. Catching those signs early could help a child get the individualized care needed to develop properly.

Christopher Smith, Ph.D. chief science officer at the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to explain the importance of early detection and the signs of autism parents should watch for in their young children. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Easy Access Autism Screening Program

Call 602.218.8204 or email EZscreen@autismcenter.org to schedule a screening. 

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center

Guest: Christopher Smith, Ph.D. 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 28 Jul 2021 19:50:32 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/early-intervention-for-autism-DX5bd_vz Do you know the signs of autism? Early intervention for children with autism is important to a child’s developmental growth and wellbeing. Catching those signs early could help a child get the individualized care needed to develop properly.

Christopher Smith, Ph.D. chief science officer at the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to explain the importance of early detection and the signs of autism parents should watch for in their young children. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Easy Access Autism Screening Program

Call 602.218.8204 or email EZscreen@autismcenter.org to schedule a screening. 

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center

Guest: Christopher Smith, Ph.D. 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Early Intervention for Autism Strong Families AZ 00:10:37 false full 14 1 139c056a-1254-460a-a436-f37b8c04da43 How to Count your Baby’s Kicks For pregnant moms, feeling those first kicks, flutters, and movements of your baby can be an exciting pregnancy milestone! Those movements also are key indicators of your baby’s health. Abnormal patterns of movement can signal a health risk, so counting the kicks of your baby can help you understand what’s normal and when to be concerned.

Emily Price, executive director of Healthy Birth Day Inc., joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to share how counting kicks can prevent stillbirths. Plus, they tell you how to make counting kicks an easy and fun part of your daily routine! 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Count the Kicks

Eliminating Racial Disparities in Stillbirth

Guest: Emily Price

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Thu, 15 Jul 2021 16:21:34 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-count-your-babys-kicks-9Yg16OR4 For pregnant moms, feeling those first kicks, flutters, and movements of your baby can be an exciting pregnancy milestone! Those movements also are key indicators of your baby’s health. Abnormal patterns of movement can signal a health risk, so counting the kicks of your baby can help you understand what’s normal and when to be concerned.

Emily Price, executive director of Healthy Birth Day Inc., joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to share how counting kicks can prevent stillbirths. Plus, they tell you how to make counting kicks an easy and fun part of your daily routine! 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Count the Kicks

Eliminating Racial Disparities in Stillbirth

Guest: Emily Price

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> How to Count your Baby’s Kicks Strong Families AZ 00:10:10 false full 13 1 3f1f41ea-d401-483e-866c-53a3162b0f8e It’s Tummy Time! Tummy time is the best exercise for growing babies. It helps them develop important motor skills and build up muscle strength so they can progress to rolling, crawling, and walking. But exercise isn’t always fun, and an upset baby can make tummy time a difficult activity.

On this episode, we offer tips to make tummy time fun for your little one. Rebecca Parlakian, Senior Director of Programs at ZERO TO THREE joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to help you learn how to incorporate tummy time into your busy schedule. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Top 5: What You Need to Know About Tummy Time

Tummy Time Activities

Guest: Rebecca Parlakian

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 16 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/its-tummy-time-0o5gWijX Tummy time is the best exercise for growing babies. It helps them develop important motor skills and build up muscle strength so they can progress to rolling, crawling, and walking. But exercise isn’t always fun, and an upset baby can make tummy time a difficult activity.

On this episode, we offer tips to make tummy time fun for your little one. Rebecca Parlakian, Senior Director of Programs at ZERO TO THREE joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to help you learn how to incorporate tummy time into your busy schedule. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Top 5: What You Need to Know About Tummy Time

Tummy Time Activities

Guest: Rebecca Parlakian

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> It’s Tummy Time! Strong Families AZ 00:10:58 false full 12 1 a014827a-da29-4e29-8a98-9522b19b3523 The 4th Trimester You’ve heard of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. But what about the 4th trimester? In the weeks following the birth of your baby, both you and your newborn will undergo major emotional and physical changes. And the sudden drop off in care, check-ups, and monitoring might leave you feeling overwhelmed, unsure, and even lonely.

To help you know what to expect during the 4th trimester, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Elizabeth Wood, Co-Founder and Educator at Matrescence 4th Trimester Planning and Support. Elizabeth tells you how you can care for yourself and your baby during the 4th trimester and how partners can lend a helping hand. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Fact Sheet: The 4th Trimester

Matrescence

Guest: Elizabeth Wood

Healthy Families Arizona

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 2 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/the-4th-trimester-dsgi3ozT You’ve heard of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. But what about the 4th trimester? In the weeks following the birth of your baby, both you and your newborn will undergo major emotional and physical changes. And the sudden drop off in care, check-ups, and monitoring might leave you feeling overwhelmed, unsure, and even lonely.

To help you know what to expect during the 4th trimester, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Elizabeth Wood, Co-Founder and Educator at Matrescence 4th Trimester Planning and Support. Elizabeth tells you how you can care for yourself and your baby during the 4th trimester and how partners can lend a helping hand. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Fact Sheet: The 4th Trimester

Matrescence

Guest: Elizabeth Wood

Healthy Families Arizona

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> The 4th Trimester Strong Families AZ 00:12:33 false full 11 1 1c678967-b14c-4d3a-b671-16cc6e76806d Cool Tips for Summertime Heat Are you and your baby prepared for the hot summer months? Toddlers and babies have a hard time regulating their body temperature, and that puts them at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. But don’t worry, we’ll tell you about the warning signs and how to keep your little ones cool, comfortable, and safe.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Matt Roach, Epidemiology Program Manager for the Climate and Health, Drinking Water, and Environmental Public Health Tracking Programs at the Arizona Department of Health Services. They discuss the danger of hot temperatures, tell you how to see the signs of heat exhaustion, and help you prepare your children for hot weather.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Preventing Heat-Related Illness

Heat and Infants and Children

Guest: Matt Roach

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/cool-tips-for-summertime-heat-f_1nhtSX Are you and your baby prepared for the hot summer months? Toddlers and babies have a hard time regulating their body temperature, and that puts them at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. But don’t worry, we’ll tell you about the warning signs and how to keep your little ones cool, comfortable, and safe.

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Matt Roach, Epidemiology Program Manager for the Climate and Health, Drinking Water, and Environmental Public Health Tracking Programs at the Arizona Department of Health Services. They discuss the danger of hot temperatures, tell you how to see the signs of heat exhaustion, and help you prepare your children for hot weather.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Preventing Heat-Related Illness

Heat and Infants and Children

Guest: Matt Roach

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Cool Tips for Summertime Heat Strong Families AZ 00:12:17 false full 10 1 4ba3e9f8-40a3-47ad-b219-65721a2c515a Sun Safety Checklist Summertime is here! As we get ready for some fun in the sun with our kiddos, avoiding painful sunburns is top of mind. Babies and toddlers have delicate skin that puts them at a higher risk of skin damage from the sun’s powerful UV rays. But staring at the endless shelves of sunblock options can be overwhelming!

To help you prepare your children for outdoor adventures, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Sergio Perez, SunWise Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services. They give you a checklist of sun safety measures to help you protect your little one from the sun’s rays.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

SunWise

Sun Safety Tips

CDC Sun Safety Tips for Families

University of Arizona Skin Cancer Institute

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 5 May 2021 15:54:29 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/sun-safety-checklist-3FoyrsTc Summertime is here! As we get ready for some fun in the sun with our kiddos, avoiding painful sunburns is top of mind. Babies and toddlers have delicate skin that puts them at a higher risk of skin damage from the sun’s powerful UV rays. But staring at the endless shelves of sunblock options can be overwhelming!

To help you prepare your children for outdoor adventures, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Sergio Perez, SunWise Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services. They give you a checklist of sun safety measures to help you protect your little one from the sun’s rays.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

SunWise

Sun Safety Tips

CDC Sun Safety Tips for Families

University of Arizona Skin Cancer Institute

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Sun Safety Checklist Strong Families AZ 00:12:01 false full 9 1 3e1c425c-6958-4ce6-ad44-51e2f8f0edf8 Lead Poisoning: Signs, Risks, and Prevention As our babies and toddlers begin to explore their surroundings, they’ll put anything into their mouths. Many accessories, old furniture, and other objects could contain traces of lead, making it crucial that families protect their little ones against lead exposure. 

On this episode, learn what household objects to keep out of reach from your children and how to identify the symptoms of lead poisoning. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez visits with Ginny De La Cruz, the Program Manager of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Ginny explains the risks of lead poisoning and how you can create a safe household environment for your kids. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Learn more about lead poisoning

High-risk areas in Arizona

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 21 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/lead-poisoning-signs-risks-and-prevention-c2kgYeXx As our babies and toddlers begin to explore their surroundings, they’ll put anything into their mouths. Many accessories, old furniture, and other objects could contain traces of lead, making it crucial that families protect their little ones against lead exposure. 

On this episode, learn what household objects to keep out of reach from your children and how to identify the symptoms of lead poisoning. Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez visits with Ginny De La Cruz, the Program Manager of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Ginny explains the risks of lead poisoning and how you can create a safe household environment for your kids. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Learn more about lead poisoning

High-risk areas in Arizona

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Lead Poisoning: Signs, Risks, and Prevention Strong Families AZ 00:13:57 false full 8 1 99871caa-008c-4adb-85a8-a5f47dc5fd15 How to Practice Positive Parenting As parents, we want nothing more than to have well-behaved children. But teaching kids right from wrong isn’t simple. When they throw a tantrum, do we put them in time out? Or do we just walk away? 

To share best practices for discipline, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Dr. Randy Ahn, Implementation Consultant at the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P). Do you have a child that whines or throws tantrums? These positive parenting tips can help you resolve household conflicts in a healthy, constructive manner. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Positive Parenting Program

Triple P Blog

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 7 Apr 2021 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-practice-positive-parenting-y2JeyKyS As parents, we want nothing more than to have well-behaved children. But teaching kids right from wrong isn’t simple. When they throw a tantrum, do we put them in time out? Or do we just walk away? 

To share best practices for discipline, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez chats with Dr. Randy Ahn, Implementation Consultant at the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P). Do you have a child that whines or throws tantrums? These positive parenting tips can help you resolve household conflicts in a healthy, constructive manner. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Positive Parenting Program

Triple P Blog

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> How to Practice Positive Parenting Strong Families AZ 00:12:06 false full 7 1 c8256758-1d95-4965-9d53-ede8d072a56d Screen Time Solutions Sitting your toddler down in front of the TV is a go-to solution for busy parents. It can keep your child entertained while you tackle your endless to-do list. But managing screen time, including how much and what your child is watching, presents another challenge. Is there such a thing as too much TV? Also, what programs and apps are available to help them grow and learn?

Dr. Michael Robb, Senior Director of Research at Common Sense Media, joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez. They discuss the most common concerns regarding TV time and tablets, ways to avoid tantrums when it’s time to turn off the device, and how to make the most of child-friendly apps, shows, and digital games. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Common Sense Media

Screen Time in the Age of the Coronavirus

Michael Robb, Ph.D. 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 24 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/screen-time-solutions-df_57wUs Sitting your toddler down in front of the TV is a go-to solution for busy parents. It can keep your child entertained while you tackle your endless to-do list. But managing screen time, including how much and what your child is watching, presents another challenge. Is there such a thing as too much TV? Also, what programs and apps are available to help them grow and learn?

Dr. Michael Robb, Senior Director of Research at Common Sense Media, joins host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez. They discuss the most common concerns regarding TV time and tablets, ways to avoid tantrums when it’s time to turn off the device, and how to make the most of child-friendly apps, shows, and digital games. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Common Sense Media

Screen Time in the Age of the Coronavirus

Michael Robb, Ph.D. 

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Screen Time Solutions Strong Families AZ 00:11:47 false full 6 1 fd3fd78f-31df-41e7-9316-dea8af998446 Time for Table Foods? Introducing table foods into your baby’s diet can raise many questions for parents. How will you know your baby is ready to transition to solid foods? And how do you monitor for potential allergies?

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by nutrition expert Alan Brown, the Women, Infant, and Children program’s training manager at the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity within Arizona’s Department of Health Services. Together, they tell you how to know when your baby is ready for table foods. Get step-by-step tips to help you introduce solid foods safely, and learn how to spot possible allergies and food sensitivities.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of Family and Child Development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

CDC: When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods

Nutrition for Babies

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/time-for-table-foods-D_y8T_oI Introducing table foods into your baby’s diet can raise many questions for parents. How will you know your baby is ready to transition to solid foods? And how do you monitor for potential allergies?

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by nutrition expert Alan Brown, the Women, Infant, and Children program’s training manager at the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity within Arizona’s Department of Health Services. Together, they tell you how to know when your baby is ready for table foods. Get step-by-step tips to help you introduce solid foods safely, and learn how to spot possible allergies and food sensitivities.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of Family and Child Development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

CDC: When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods

Nutrition for Babies

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Time for Table Foods? Strong Families AZ 00:11:38 false full 5 1 fea2b4b1-9caf-493c-b646-dc1c76db54e7 Newborn Screenings: What to Expect When it comes to your baby’s health, being proactive is key! That’s why newborn screenings are so important for identifying serious medical conditions early on. But what specific conditions are doctors looking for during newborn screenings? And what should first-time moms expect?

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzales takes her audience through the newborn screening process step by step with Fran Altmaier, case management coordinator for the Office of Newborn Screening-Follow up at the Arizona Department of Health Services. From the first heel prick test to understanding the final results, learn how newborn screenings contribute to your baby’s health and wellness.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of Family and Child Development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Newborn Screening Help

CDC: Newborn Screening Portal

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Wed, 17 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/newborn-screenings-what-to-expect-iC6qHdUg When it comes to your baby’s health, being proactive is key! That’s why newborn screenings are so important for identifying serious medical conditions early on. But what specific conditions are doctors looking for during newborn screenings? And what should first-time moms expect?

Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzales takes her audience through the newborn screening process step by step with Fran Altmaier, case management coordinator for the Office of Newborn Screening-Follow up at the Arizona Department of Health Services. From the first heel prick test to understanding the final results, learn how newborn screenings contribute to your baby’s health and wellness.

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of Family and Child Development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Newborn Screening Help

CDC: Newborn Screening Portal

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

]]> Newborn Screenings: What to Expect Strong Families AZ 00:12:01 false full 4 1 7300645b-802b-4166-a3b2-e89b51f93b4f Baby Talk Let’s talk about talking! Speaking with your baby is key to fostering early literacy and language development.  But for many parents, it might feel awkward or unnatural to talk to your baby. 

On this episode, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Kat Willard, Senior Director of Family Support and Literacy at First Things First, who shares creative ways to have intentional conversations with your little one.

From singing songs to telling stories, learn how you can spark meaningful communication with your child. Let’s get talking!

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of Family and Child Development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Smart Talk

First Things First

Read On Arizona

Reach Out & Read

The 3Ts

]]> Wed, 3 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/baby-talk-Dtk0b5j8 Let’s talk about talking! Speaking with your baby is key to fostering early literacy and language development.  But for many parents, it might feel awkward or unnatural to talk to your baby. 

On this episode, host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is joined by Kat Willard, Senior Director of Family Support and Literacy at First Things First, who shares creative ways to have intentional conversations with your little one.

From singing songs to telling stories, learn how you can spark meaningful communication with your child. Let’s get talking!

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of Family and Child Development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Smart Talk

First Things First

Read On Arizona

Reach Out & Read

The 3Ts

]]> Baby Talk Strong Families AZ 00:12:14 false full 3 1 0f837211-80f3-4053-a6bd-c6743f1e6eeb Sleep - Every Parent's Dream For both moms and babies, sleep is important! But putting your newborn to sleep can be challenging for new and experienced parents alike. 

On this episode, pro mom and host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez covers tips and tricks for implementing the ABCs of safe sleep with Yomaira Diaz Castillo, Injury Prevention Manager at the Arizona Department of Health. 

Learn how you and your baby can comfortably and safely fit in some well needed Z’s. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of Family and Child Development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Arizona’s Birth to Five Helpline

Safe Kids Sleep Safety Tips

Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Education

 

]]> Wed, 20 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/safe-sleep-abcs-Cq2MA_4_ For both moms and babies, sleep is important! But putting your newborn to sleep can be challenging for new and experienced parents alike. 

On this episode, pro mom and host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez covers tips and tricks for implementing the ABCs of safe sleep with Yomaira Diaz Castillo, Injury Prevention Manager at the Arizona Department of Health. 

Learn how you and your baby can comfortably and safely fit in some well needed Z’s. 

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of Family and Child Development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

Arizona’s Birth to Five Helpline

Safe Kids Sleep Safety Tips

Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Education

 

]]> Sleep - Every Parent's Dream Strong Families AZ 00:10:08 false full 2 1 87a8255b-1d78-40c3-b0d0-7695c1c14084 Breastfeeding? Answers! Being a mom is tough, fun, and important. For many women, motherhood is also their favorite job!

On this first episode of The Parenting Brief, host, expert, and mom Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez gets some good advice for breastfeeding moms from Anne Whitmire, WIC Breastfeeding and Training Administrator at the Arizona Department of Health Services.

The Parenting Brief is delivered fresh and free to your mobile device every other Wednesday. On each episode, Jessica will share with listeners useful tips to help them care for their young children, ages 0-5. 

Like parenting, it promises to be a blast!

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of Family and Child Development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

AZ Breastfeeding Hotline

Strong Families AZ Helpline

Guest: Anne Whitmire

]]> Thu, 31 Dec 2020 15:00:00 +0000 rjohnson@riester.com (Strong Families AZ) https://the-parenting-brief.simplecast.com/episodes/breastfeeding-help-IVkp2aEd Being a mom is tough, fun, and important. For many women, motherhood is also their favorite job!

On this first episode of The Parenting Brief, host, expert, and mom Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez gets some good advice for breastfeeding moms from Anne Whitmire, WIC Breastfeeding and Training Administrator at the Arizona Department of Health Services.

The Parenting Brief is delivered fresh and free to your mobile device every other Wednesday. On each episode, Jessica will share with listeners useful tips to help them care for their young children, ages 0-5. 

Like parenting, it promises to be a blast!

Host:

Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Program Director for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of Family and Child Development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.

Links:

AZ Breastfeeding Hotline

Strong Families AZ Helpline

Guest: Anne Whitmire

]]> Breastfeeding? Answers! Strong Families AZ 00:12:22 false full 1 1