Strong relationships are a protective factor against adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Therefore, supporting early relational health (ERH) by creating safe, stable, and nurturing family relationships to encourage positive emotional connection between parents and children is one way to prevent toxic stress, buffer against ACEs, and promote capacity for resilience. 

Early childhood interventions designed to support ERH can yield benefits to children, caregivers, families, and communities. However, a major gap in current efforts is the availability of effective, scalable, and sustainable approaches to supporting population-level mastery of ERH skills. PlayReadVIP can help to address this critical gap. 

What is PlayReadVIP?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends tiered support for ERH that includes universal interventions for all children and families, targeted interventions for those at higher risks of toxic responses, and treatments for toxic-stress related symptoms and diagnoses. PlayReadVIP addresses core gaps in the current systems by using video feedback to support parent mastery of ERH during the birth to three period and prevent learning gaps before they emerge. This strengths-based program is delivered to families by non-clinical, community-based coaches, and tailored to meet each family’s individual goals. PlayReadVIP is designed to be easy and convenient for families, with sessions occurring in settings where parents already frequently visit with their child, like pediatric primary care. With one of the most robust evidence bases among similar programs, PlayReadVIP has demonstrated large benefits through multiple randomized-controlled trials, with impacts sustained beyond program completion.  

Each session is around 25 minutes long and includes videotaping with real-time review and developmentally appropriate toys, books, and resources to help parents utilize pretend play, shared reading, and daily routines as opportunities for interaction. When parents watch themselves on video, they see their importance in supporting their child’s development and are empowered to set their own goals for reading, talking, and playing with their child at home.  

PlayReadVIP is currently available in English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Portuguese, adding to the program’s applicability across diverse populations. When offered in pediatric primary care, parents can request to participate in PlayReadVIP at any point during their child’s appointment, with no prior scheduling; benefits are seen after just one session, with additive benefits seen after more sessions.  

The program is led by the PlayReadVIP National Center at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, which provides technical assistance for new sites including training, certification and support for maintenance of fidelity for VIP coaches. 

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PlayReadVIP Impacts

PlayReadVIP has been rigorously studied, including through multiple randomized-controlled trials. Research shows strong evidence that PlayReadVIP supports parents and children through: 

  • more playing, reading, talking and teaching; 
  • strengthened school readiness, attention skills, and parent-child relationships; 
  • improvements in language, literacy, and social-emotional development; 
  • reduced physical punishment and screen time; 
  • decreased parenting stress; and  
  • reduced mild and moderate depressive symptoms among low-income mothers. 

        Impacts of PlayReadVIP are sustained for at least 1-2 years after program completion and studies show improved ERH after only a single visit. The program costs $250 per child per year, a far lower cost when compared to similar programs delivered through home visiting

        What’s Next for PlayReadVIP?

        As of 2024, PlayReadVIP is being delivered at 15 locations across four states: Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Pathways to Resilience sponsor Aurrera Health Group is working with PlayReadVIP to identify pathways for Medicaid financing to promote the reach and sustainability of the program, so that more children and families across the country can benefit.  

        Through its focus on addressing inequality of opportunity for young children in families facing structural barriers related to poverty and racism, PlayReadVIP can help support Medicaid programmatic goals such as improving health equity and population health. Additionally, given that the intervention is delivered in the context of the pediatric well-care visit, PlayReadVIP can also help support state performance on quality measures related to well-child screenings, child immunizations, and developmental screenings. Importantly, multiple state Medicaid programs now allow for reimbursement for community health workers (CHWs) which represents an important route for PlayReadVIP sustainability given its close alignment with CHW roles related to health promotion. In addition, a Medicaid managed care organization in New York City implemented a per member per month payment to support PlayReadVIP as part of a comprehensive initiative to support ERH and prevent health disparities. 

        • Interested in discussing potential opportunities in your state Medicaid program to implement PlayReadVIP?
        • Interested in learning more or becoming a PlayReadVIP site?  
        • Interested in supporting the national reach of PlayReadVIP? Members of the philanthropic community are invited to reach out to explore investment opportunities to support the PlayReadVIP National Center, which serves as a catalyst from implementing the program across the United States.

            If so, please reach out directly to Alan Mendelsohn, MD, and Anne Seery, PhD, at PlayReadVIP@nyulangone.org or visit http://www.playreadvip.org/ for more details.