Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car crashes in Arizona. Like other distractions, kids can cause their parents or caregivers to lose focus on safe driving.

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez sits down with Jesse Torrez, the Director of Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety, and Gabby Gallegos, the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety Occupant Protection Coordinator, to help parents focus on safety and handle distractions while driving with kids.

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:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Jesse Torrez

Guest: Gabby Gallegos

Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety

Prenatal care helps families have the healthiest pregnancy possible all the way up until the baby arrives. But the process can seem overwhelming if you haven’t done it before, or if you’ve heard some of the common myths about it.

That’s why Jessica sat down with Jen Hamilton, board-certified labor & delivery nurse and Founder of Hot Mess Express, to answer your questions about prenatal care. In this episode, learn about prenatal care, informed consent, what it means to plan your birth vibes, 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:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Guest: Jen Hamilton

Jen Hamilton Instagram

Jen Hamilton Tiktok

Hot Mess Express

If you are a new parent, feeding your newborn can raise a lot of questions. But don’t worry, this episode covers everything you need to know to make sure your baby is getting all the nutrients needed, whether you're using breast milk or formula.

In this episode, host Jessica Stewart Gonzalez talks to Amanda Shumway, the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program Manager for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at the Arizona Department of Health Services.

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:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Arizona WIC Program 24 Hour Breastfeeding Hotline

To participate in the Arizona WIC Peer Counseling Program or to work with WIC Registered Dieticians, you must be enrolled in the WIC program. Find out if you qualify here.

To find out if you are eligible to join the WIC Staff Breastfeeding Boot Camp, contact Amanda Shumway at amanda.shumway@azdhs.gov or Zarina Ahlstrom at zarina.ahlstrom@azdhs.gov

Are you a parent struggling to get your little one to fall asleep? Well, you're not alone! Sleep is essential for a child's healthy development and well-being, but sometimes it can be a real challenge. One safe and effective way to help children fall asleep is by giving them melatonin.

Jessica chats with Dr. Rupali Drewek, the medical director of the Sleep Disorders Program at Phoenix Children's Hospital and a board certified pediatrician. Dr. Drewek answers all important questions about melatonin and explains sleep hygiene.

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:

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Are you planning to have a party with family and friends? We have a guide to help make sure your celebration is safe for kids who may be in attendance. Jessica sits down with Emily Flanigan, the Program Strategy Specialist of Children's Health at First Things First, to discuss how to keep kids safe during family gatherings, especially when alcohol and breakable dishes are involved. 

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: 

Home Safety Checklist

Household Safety for Babies

First Things First

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

​​Regular home maintenance can prevent accidents before they happen. It's easy to stay on top of these necessary chores by setting yearly reminders. That way, you won't fall behind on checking to make sure things like plumbing vents and traps are in working order for the year.

Jessica speaks with Adam Rodriguez, the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program Director at the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System at the Arizona Department of Health Services, about how to keep your home safe for you and 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:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Fire Safety

AZDHS: Home Safety Tips

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

Infant Sensory Screenings measure a newborn’s hearing and seeing. When hearing loss is detected early on, families can start exploring interventions sooner to support their little ones as they grow up.

Jessica chats with Morgan Scadden, Sensory Screening Program Manager with the Arizona Department of Health Services, about the screening process and why it's important to take the screening seriously.

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: 

NTRC: Arizona Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Information

AZDHS Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Baby Hearing.org

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez

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 Seat

Safe Kids Worldwide: Ultimate Car Seat Guide

Safe Kids Arizona

Season 1 The Parenting Brief: Buckle Up! Car Seat Safety

Strong Families AZ

Host: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez