The Hawaii DeeBeePeds Program:
The Maternal and Child Health Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Leadership Training Program in Hawaii

Project Overview

The purpose of this program is to train physicians to become highly qualified leaders in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics. These physicians will provide exemplary developmental, behavioral and psychosocial support to children and their families, community agencies, and policy makers. The Developmental Behavioral Pediatric subspecialty residents (“Fellows”) experience teaching, consultation, advocacy and research in a variety of multi-cultural and interdisciplinary milieus. The Fellows train in various environments including Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics clinics, Neurology and Child Psychiatry clinics and services, early intervention programs, schools, rehabilitation programs, public health nursing, and child protection clinics.

In Hawaii, as across the nation, the role of the pediatrician is being redefined by the changing needs of young children and their families. “Children with special needs” refers to the broad category of children faced with or at risk for physical, behavioral, emotional or developmental conditions that require more care than that usually necessary by children. Increased knowledge of the critical importance of early environmental and social influences for successful child development, the availability of intervention services to manage disabilities, and changes in family structure and supports place major responsibilities in the hands of physicians. The Fellows train to become leaders in ensuring that community pediatricians, residents, and medical students have orientation to this changing medical world.

The Hawaii DeeBeePeds project will directly address the systems issues around the care of children through the clinical, research, and advocacy activities of the Fellows. The Fellows engage with community agencies, hospitals and clinics in working closely with children with interesting and varied issues in development, learning and behavior. The training leads to the Fellows being prepared towards Board Certification in the Subspecialty of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics.

Supported by

• The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services. Project Period: 7/2003-6/2008. Project #1 T77 MC00033.