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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Happy Birthday to 292-BABY -- 10 years old!


“292-BABY” was launched in March, 2002 as the Rochester Parent Network (RPN). It began with the 292-BABY telephone number (292-2229) and a daily TV show on Cable Channel 4 called “Parent Talk” that was designed for eventual conversion into educational videos. With the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong as a leading partner and Wegmans Food Market as a funder and partner, MCC took the lead to reach out to Greater Rochester’s early childhood community.  As a resource for all parents and caregivers of our youngest children (Pre-conception to age three) RPN changed its name to “292-BABY” in 2007 and added a website (292baby.org) completing the convergence of telephone, television and Internet into one integrated system.

Some of our accomplishments to date:

·         The nurses at the “292-BABY” call center have fielded over 11,000 calls (anyone can call from 7:00 AM to midnight,  days a week with any non-emergency concern about their baby or young child)

·         292baby.org now has 120+ free educational videos on-demand. It is believed to be the largest source of parenting/care giving information in video format in the world.

·         Rochester’s Ad Council, in partnership with MCC and 292-BABY, had their most successful ad campaign ever in the “Sing, Talk Play with Your Baby” campaign of 2008. One year after completion, 400 poor parents were interviewed by phone and 87% not only remembered the campaign’s message but also believed that it influenced their parenting in positive ways.

·         In partnership with the Children’s Institute and several other community partners, MCC and 292-BABY made possible a $3,000,000 grant to this community in 2007.  292-BABY’s $600,000 annual operating costs were able to be used toward the community’s annual $1,000,000 matching funds required by the federal government. Without that ability the community could not have accepted the grant.

·         292-BABY, as a partner in the above mentioned grant, received funding to build a small TV studio at the DCC campus. With direct connection to Time Warner, 292-BABY reaches 225,000 homes in Monroe County each weekday evening bringing helpful information to those caring for babies and young children.

·         A lecture hall at DCC is currently being connected to the studio with audio and video creating the opportunity to broadcast (and soon to stream) guest speakers and presentations. This is helpful in our goal to make DCC a center for all things “children.”

The video library continues to grow and calls continue to come in to our nurses. MCC, with a direct supportive connection to arguably our community’s most needy constituents, is at the forefront of educational, or any other, institutions in recognizing and actively supporting early childhood as a national priority.

Happy Birthday 292-BABY!!!

Jim Coffey
Visual and Performing Arts
03/21/2012