Davis County, Utah – For families with young children, juggling appointments and services can be overwhelming. That’s why Davis County Health Department and Waterford.org are teaming up to make it easier for families to access the support they need, all in one place.
Through connection visits, public health staff meet with families to understand their needs and connect them to local resources—ranging from nutrition and medical support to early learning tools like Waterford UPSTART, an at-home program that helps children build early literacy and school readiness skills before kindergarten. This partnership is part of the county’s broader effort to support children from birth through age 8.
“During our connection visits, we meet families where they are,” said Sabrina Harman, Director of Family Health and Nursing. “Whether someone comes in for WIC, immunizations, or another health service, we want to make sure they also walk away with tools to support their child’s growth in every area—including early learning.”
Waterford UPSTART provides personalized, at-home early learning in as little as 15 minutes a day, five days a week. It’s offered in English and Spanish, with additional language support provided as needed.
For Davis County parent and former Head Start professional Michelle Fieschel, the program made a lasting impression. “During my time at Davis School District Head Start, we used the program in our classrooms, and teachers consistently reported significant improvements in the children’s development,” she said. “I encouraged my daughter to sign up my grandchildren. I’m delighted to say they both loved the program and were wonderfully prepared for kindergarten.”
“Davis County Health Department is doing something special: bringing services together so families don’t fall through the cracks,” said Dr. Matt Hill, CEO of Waterford.org. “We’re honored to be part of that mission, helping families access early learning when and where it makes sense for them.”
Families will be introduced to these resources through connection visits, and in-person community events. More information can be found on the Davis County Health Department’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s webpage.
This collaboration reflects a shared vision: healthier families, supported communities, and strong starts for every child.
About Waterford.org
Waterford.org is a national early education nonprofit that provides research-backed PreK through 2nd grade reading, math and science programs that children can use wherever they learn. Our tailored programs help children reach critical milestones by third grade, laying the foundation for future success for every child.
About Davis County Health
Davis County Health Department (DCHD) is the oldest local health department in Utah, opening its doors in 1937. Our staff members strive to ensure quality public health and provide services for the aging community in Davis County. DCHD serves more than 360,000 county residents through its six divisions: Health Administration, Communicable Disease and Epidemiology, Community Health, Environmental Health, Family Health, and Senior Services.
