A solid start for the Dutch first thousand days-approach: insights into program adoption, monitoring and cross-sectoral collaboration

Abstract

In 2018, the nationwide action program Solid Start was launched by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, aiming to ensure the best possible start for all children during the first thousand days of life. The 'first thousand days' refer to the period from conception to a child's second birthday, which lays the foundation for health and wellbeing in later life and across generations. The main objective of this thesis was to provide insight into the adoption of the Dutch nationwide action program Solid Start, thereby focusing on monitoring and cross-sectoral collaboration. Throughout our studies, we learned that monitoring vulnerability in early life and monitoring the action program Solid Start at local level requires a consideration of both risk and protective factors spanning across multiple sectors. This underscores the relevancy for preventive programs that connect the medical and social sector, and it implies that monitoring requires cross-sectoral longitudinal data and indicators. For future practice and policy, we advise to create a long-term perspective, integrate the action program Solid Start into everyday practice and stimulate learning processes at different levels. Despite opportunities for improvement, this thesis implies a solid start for the Dutch first thousand days-approach.