A deeper dive into the framework and where we are investing
Our commitment to children, youth and families in rural communities has always centered on one essential truth: Relationships matter.
For more than 25 years, The Ford Family Foundation has invested in programs supporting young children, guided by input from families as well as research. And what they have told us is that the earliest relationships in a child’s life are not just important — they are foundational. They shape how children experience the world, how they learn and ultimately, how they thrive.
Early Relational Health, as described by Dr. David Willis, founder and director of Nurture Connection and champion in the field, refers to “the emotional well-being that grows from strong, positive and nurturing connections between babies, young children and their caregivers.”
Principles of Early Relational Health
1. Celebrate everyday moments — simple, ordinary interactions.
2. Start from trust, approaching every family from a position of strength.
3. Build the relationship before the curriculum, checklist or agenda.
4. Support the caregiver as well as the child.
5. Practice what you promote.
6. Involve families as co-designers and decision-makers — not just recipients of services.
7. Meet families where they are — in pediatric clinics, home visits, early learning settings or libraries.
8. Our systems of care and support must be relational, not transactional.
Dive deeper with Nurture Connection
Everyday moments — like talking, playing, comforting and responding — help a child’s brain grow, support their ability to build relationships with others and teach them both how to express themselves and identify and manage emotions. These moments establish a foundation for lifelong health and learning.
Research confirms that Early Relational Health is not only central to a child’s development, but also to family well-being across generations. Relationships built around shared emotional connection help families buffer stress, build resilience and create environments where both children and caregivers can flourish.
“People don’t raise children through programs and systems. They raise them through meaningful relationships.”
— Dr. David Willis, Nurture Connection
This perspective challenges us to rethink how we support families — not just as services delivered, but as relationships strengthened. At The Ford Family Foundation, our early childhood investments encompass a wide range of supports, including parenting education, home visiting and maternal and infant mental health. We have also partnered with leadership of the child welfare system in our county to amplify the voices of parents, strengthen family preservation and focus on connection and care. All of these efforts are connected to how we see and invest in Early Relational Health.
Early Relational Health in Focus
Responding to community calls to explore the Safe Babies approach in Douglas County, the Foundation is currently working through a community planning phase with Zero to Three and local partners. By centering babies’ emotional and developmental needs, and the relationships that shape them, Safe Babies transforms child welfare into a system that strengthens child and family well-being.
In rural communities, this work to forge strong, supportive relationships is especially important. While families often have strong community ties, they may also face isolation and limited access to services. Strengthening early relationships helps bridge that gap by connecting families not only to resources, but to each other.
“Early Relational Health is about ensuring that parents and babies can establish and maintain emotional connection from birth, laying the groundwork for lifelong well-being and more connected communities.”
— Ira Hillman, Einhorn Collaborative;
Early Relational Health Funders Community Steering Committee Chair
If we want to improve outcomes for children, we cannot overlook the relationships that shape their earliest experiences.
The path forward is clear: Invest in families, support caregivers and put relationships first in policies, programs and services.