A Mother’s Intuition
Victoria Brown always trusted her instincts. From the moment her son Micah was born, premature and weighing just two pounds, she knew the road ahead would require relentless love, patience and support.
“Micah is such a high-energy, warm, happy little guy. There isn’t a dull moment when he’s around,” Victoria says. But despite his joyful presence, she began to notice signs that something might be different in how he was developing compared to other children.
Meeting HealthySteps
Victoria found answers and support through HealthySteps at Brookdale Family Care Center in Brooklyn, New York. The HealthySteps model places child development experts directly into pediatric primary care offices, so families like Victoria’s can receive support early, right where and when they need it.
“My Specialist and everyone involved have been a pillar of support for my family,” Victoria said. “From getting testing and evaluations to actually receiving a diagnosis for my son, I can attribute it to my HealthySteps specialist always taking my concerns seriously”.
When Micah was diagnosed with autism, the support didn’t stop. HealthySteps helped Victoria navigate the complex world of Early Intervention (EI) services, applying not once, not twice, but three times — until Micah was accepted.
HealthySteps has changed the trajectory of my child’s life for the better. Sometimes it seems too good to be true; the care, the support, the resources. I can’t imagine my life without it.”
The Role of Medicaid
Micah’s early days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) were also made possible thanks to Medicaid. His care cost up to $20,000 a month, an unmanageable amount for Victoria and her partner, both working parents. Medicaid paid for the critical care that saved Micah’s life.
“People don’t always realize how vital Medicaid is,” she explained. “Mental health, maternal health, speech therapy, feeding and more. All of that would’ve been out of reach for us without Medicaid.”
One Small Voice, Big Impact
Victoria’s journey is one of thousands supported through ZERO TO THREE initiatives like HealthySteps. Her experience is also a reflection of national priorities laid out in ZERO TO THREE’s federal policy agenda: a focus on early intervention, mental health, equitable care and economic security for families with young children.
When asked what she wishes people understood, Victoria doesn’t hesitate: “Cutting programs like Medicaid won’t just impact numbers on a spreadsheet. It’ll change real lives, and not for the better. My son is thriving today because people fought to make these programs exist.”
We’re not just talking about services. We’re talking about a future my son wouldn’t have without them.”
