January 2013 is National Birth Defects Prevention Month! The theme is "Birth defects are common, costly, and critical." The National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) is pleased to provide you with the following resource materials to promote birth defects awareness and prevention.by these conditions.

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 30 second PSA - English

Birth Defects: Common, Costly, Critical

Defectos de nacimientos, Comunes, Críticos, y Costoso

A baseball program designed for the needs of children that live with physical or mental disabilities.  The kids get to participate in a sports environment structured for their success.  Players learn and grow while having lots of fun. Challenger Baseball provides an essential opportunity for kids to develop stronger emotional & social skills.  The Kids are encouraged to "get off the bench and play"!  Playing Challenger Baseball assists to install a "can do" attitude in the players.  The positive experience helps children gain confidence.  In turn, their self-esteem grows stronger. Challenger Baseball stresses the idea of participation over competition.  Every player gets to bat, field and "run" the bases. Balls & strikes are not counted. Victories come in the form of achievement and involvement in the game.  There are three absolute rules...  Be safe, have fun and everyone gets to play ball.

 The First Year of High School: "Students in ninth grade comprise the highest percentage of the overall high school population. This ninth grade bulge stems from disproportionate numbers of students failing to be promoted out of ninth grade." These and other statistics related to the transition into high school for U.S. students can be found in the National High School Center's First Year of High School fact sheet. The resource highlights high school enrollment rates, predictors of high school dropout, and ninth grade transition strategies.