Presentation given by Darcy Lowell, MD at the 2010 RWJF LFP Annual Meeting in St. Paul, MN This presentation will build on the new scientific knowledge about early brain development, looking at how we can translate these findings into community-based best practices in our work with children and families. We will also look at how our new understanding of the effect of “toxic” stress on the young, developing brain can inform our communications to staff, community stakeholders, and especially to funders. We will explore lessons learned from Child FIRST, a former LFP project that implemented a model early childhood system of care to decrease the incidence of serious emotional disturbance, developmental and learning problems, abuse and neglect among high-risk families in inner-city Bridgeport, CT