It can feel like a headache to figure out what car seat is right for a child. Rear-facing car seat, combination seat, or booster seat? That’s why we made this follow-up car seat episode, to help parents safely buckle their kiddos in the car and know when it’s time to transition from a car seat to a booster seat. Yomaira Castillo chats with host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez about resources available to help parents with car seats. Host:Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.Links: NHTSA: Find The Right SeatSafe Kids Worldwide: Ultimate Car Seat GuideSafe Kids ArizonaSeason 1 The Parenting Brief: Buckle Up! Car Seat SafetyStrong Families AZHost: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls according to data from the CDC. That’s because the traditional signs of autism are often difficult to detect depending on the gender a child is assigned at birth. Our guest explains the signs parents should look for and what to do if they think their little one may be showing signs of autism. Jessica speaks with Dr. Christopher J. Smith, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center's Chief Science Officer, to learn more about the different ways autism can present in children. Host:Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.Links: Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center: Resources and GuidesArizona Early Intervention ProgramThe Parenting Brief: Early Intervention for AutismStrong Families AZHost: Jessica Stewart-GonzalezGuest: Christopher J. Smith, Ph.D.

You may have seen an announcement for product recalls on the news or even received notice of a recall from a product you’ve bought in the past. It’s critical to stay up to date about these recalls so that you can have a safe and healthy home environment.Jessica sits down with Teresa Murray, the Consumer Watchdog for the Arizona PIRG Education Fund and author of the Safe At Home Product recalls report, to find out more about product recalls and tools parents can use to easily get recall alerts. Host:Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.Links: U.S. PIRG: NEW REPORT: Product recallsSaferProducts.govConsumer Product Safety Commission: RecallsThe Parenting Brief: Lead Poisoning: Signs, Risks, and PreventionStrong Families AZHost: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can't make enough insulin during your pregnancy. It can be scary for many folks but the good news is – the condition is treatable and often goes away after pregnancy. Jessica speaks with Raquelle Weight, a Staff Development Specialist at the Arizona Department of Health Services in the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity, to explain how this condition can affect your pregnancy and ways to prevent it from developing. Host:Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.Links: ADHS: Diabetes ProgramStrong Families AZHost: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Routine doctor appointments are important to make sure your kiddo grows up healthy, but navigating the medical system can be overwhelming. This episode explains how often to expect a doctor's visit, how to find the right provider for your family, and what you should know about telehealth pediatrician check-ups.Jessica speaks with Dr. Miran Song, an Arizona pediatrician and a board member of the Arizona chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, about what parents should expect when searching for a healthcare provider for their little one.Host:Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.Links: Arizona Chapter of theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics: Dr. Miran SongArizona Health Start ProgramStrong Families AZHost: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Good sleep gives your little ones the chance to dream and the energy they need to explore the world around them. Today’s episode reviews crib safety reminders to give you peace of mind while your kiddos sleep tight. Yomaira Castillo sits down with host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez to discuss everything you need to know about crib safety. They talk about everything from creating safe sleep environments to accessing safe cribs and more. Host:Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.Links: Safe Kids ArizonaLearn the ABCs of Safe SleepContact us: AZDHS Injury PreventionStrong Families AZHost: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

The health and safety of children is a top priority for families. Enrolling in health insurance makes going to the doctor much more accessible. But it can be difficult to find an insurance plan that meets your little ones’ needs and fits your family budget. We visit with Mark Schafer, the Program Support Administrator at the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, to discuss the low-cost health program called the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Learn the ins and outs of coverage options and how your family can enroll.Host:Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.Links: KidsCare - Arizona's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)AHCCCS Covered ServicesAHCCCS Available Health PlansStrong Families AZHost: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Do you worry if your child is getting enough nutrients? Or maybe you know that your kiddo is supposed to “eat healthy” but don’t exactly know what that means. In this episode, learn how to put together a nutritious meal for your little ones. Plus discover helpful tools you can use to budget and plan meals for the family.Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Alan Brown, the WIC Training Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services in the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity. Alan shares his knowledge as a registered dietitian to help you build a nutrient-filled meal plan for your family.Host:Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.Links: Arizona Health ZoneArizona WIC ProgramMyPlateArizona SNAPStrong Families AZHost: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Let’s face it, potty training can be a messy and difficult process. When is the right time to start? How can you help your child avoid accidents? And what should you do if your little one just won’t go? This episode answers those questions and more.Host Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez visits with Erica Desper, the founder of Confident Parenting. Erica is a potty training expert who shares her tips to make the potty training process easier for everyone. Host:Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.Links: Guest: Erica DesperFive Things to Consider Before Potty TrainingStrong Families AZHost: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

In this episode, get the safety tips and shopping advice you need to help you make safe holiday gift-buying decisions for your children. Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez sits down with Teresa Murray, Consumer Watchdog for Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and author of the Trouble in Toyland 2022 report, to talk about how to avoid buying counterfeit or recalled toys and how to spot safety hazards in the toy aisle. Host:Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez is the Chief of the Office of Children’s Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services. She is married, has two young children, and loves reading (anything except parenting books!) and watching movies and TV.  She loves to spend time with her kids (when they aren’t driving her crazy) and celebrating all of their little, and big, accomplishments. Jessica has been in the field of family and child development for over 20 years, working towards normalizing the hard work of parenting and making it easier to ask the hard questions.Links: Guest: Teresa MurrayTrouble in Toyland 2022 ReportConsumer Product Safety Commission: RecallsStrong Families AZHost: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez