Benefits of Partnership
CONSULTANTPhysician ChampionUnited Way for Greater Austin
Help Me Grow Central TexasPurpose
In September 2022, United Way launched the implementation of the Help Me Grow (HMG) System Model in Central Texas, a system-building framework that coordinates existing community resources to support the developmental, health, and well-being of young children and their families. Implementation of the HMG System Model is guided by the Austin/Travis County and Williamson County Success By 6 (SX6) Coalitions.
United Way for Greater Austin seeks a Physician Champion to help drive measurable improvements in how young children are identified for and connected to developmental supports across Central Texas, directly advancing United Way’s priority of increasing kindergarten readiness.
Through this partnership, we aim to:
- Elevate early childhood and health priorities by informing and promoting the United Way and SX6’s state and local advocacy
- Integrate healthcare providers more fully into the early childhood system, improving coordination with Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), child care, and home visiting programs
- Improve the reliability of referral pathways, reducing missed or delayed connections to developmental services
The Ideal Physician Champion
- Has a background in general, developmental, or behavioral pediatrics, family medicine, or a related field and is currently operating in a medical practice
- Strong connections to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and/or American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and academic institutions, with the ability to bridge clinical and early childhood sectors
- Brings experience facilitating cross-sector groups – including clinicians, early childhood providers, and community partners – and guiding them toward consensus and shared priorities
- Possesses deep familiarity with the local landscape, including provider networks, community resources, and early childhood systems in Travis and Williamson Counties
- Understands local disparities and demonstrates a commitment to advancing equity, including racial equity, in child health and early childhood systems
Scope of Work
As part of this role, the Physician Champion will apply, test, and refine project activities within their own clinical practice, using real-world insights to strengthen developmental screening and referral systems across Central Texas. The anticipated commitment is approximately 10 hours per month between March 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
Project Implementation
- Pilot and evaluate innovative tools for children with developmental delays through integration into clinic workflows
- Assess and improve clinic-level developmental screening and referral practices, identifying barriers, testing practical solutions, and documenting what works
- Support provider capacity-building by advising on developmental screening and referral trainings and promoting approaches that help clinicians empower families in self-advocacy
- Strengthen data systems by testing clinic-level data-collection processes and contributing insights to United Way’s regional Maternal Health Dashboard
- Translate learnings into a replicable blueprint that can be adopted by additional provider sites across Central Texas
Leadership
- Represent the health sector within Success By 6 leadership structures to inform and promote advocacy opportunities, strategic planning, and decision-making for the coalition
- Co-lead the Healthy Beginnings Workgroup, a convening of healthcare providers and early childhood stakeholders focused on improving developmental supports for young children
- Support implementation of the Help Me Grow 4-Year Plan through regular engagement with HMG staff and partners
Provider Engagement
- Strengthen provider engagement by promoting Help Me Grow, recruiting physician ambassadors – particularly in rural areas – and advising on medical school training related to ECI and referral pathways
Benefits of Partnership
- A one-time payment of $6,500 for the year’s consulting services, to be provided at the conclusion of the project.
- Free ASQ online licenses (enterprise and site fees covered), if applicable
- Support in developing streamlined screening and referral workflows, including professional development
- Early access to a Developmental Support Specialist, plus the chance to inform how this support model integrates into your clinic to better assist families and strengthen staff capacity
- Improved access for patients to community-based early childhood resources and services
Equity Commitment
United Way and Help Me Grow (HMG) Central Texas are committed to fostering equity and inclusion across the early childhood system. HMG employs a targeted universalism framework, with the universal goal that all families with young children have quick, easy access to the resources and services they need to support their children’s development, health, and well-being. Strategies are intentionally designed to address systemic barriers, including racial inequities, that disproportionately impact families.
Submission Specifications
Deadline: February 6, 2026 at 5:00 pm CT
Bids must be submitted through Paylocity and include:
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter outlining approach to the proposed scope of work
RFB TimelineActivity
February 6, 2026 Bids due to United Way by 5 pm
February 9 - February 13, 2026 Bid review, meetings with finalists
February 20, 2026 MOU draft sent to Physician Champion
March 1, 2026 Contract(s) start date
PI7c6af263db37-37437-39525095
