Birth to Bell Educational Elevation
Understanding the connection between family health, early development, and classroom outcomes.
About the Framework
The Birth to Bell Cohort Implementation is a structured model designed to help educators understand the connection between family health, early life experiences, and student success in the classroom.
Delivered through a cohort-based learning approach, the implementation allows schools and districts to move beyond one-time professional development and instead engage in a progressive learning experience.
Each session builds upon the previous one, allowing educators to deepen their understanding, reflect on classroom experiences, and develop practical strategies that support students and families.
Research-Backed Impact
Evidence-based data demonstrating why the four pillars are critical to student success and educator effectiveness.
U.S. Maternal Deaths Annually
Approximately 700 women die each year from pregnancy-related complications. 60% of these deaths are preventable with proper awareness and early intervention.
Students May Have FASD
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders affect up to 5% of the U.S. population, yet 80-90% of cases remain undiagnosed, leaving students without proper support.
Children with Absent Fathers
Nearly 1 in 4 children in America grow up without a father figure. These children are 4x more likely to experience poverty and 2x more likely to drop out of school.
Mental Health Issues by Age 14
Half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14. Early intervention can reduce severity by 40% and improve academic outcomes dramatically.
Percentage improvement in student outcomes when educators are trained
Teachers reporting formal training in each pillar area
Schools lack comprehensive family health training
Students affected by untrained educator response annually
Educators want more training in these areas
Better student outcomes with trained educators
Every statistic represents a student, family, or educator who deserves better support.
Explore the FrameworkThe Four Pillars
Each pillar represents a critical area of knowledge that educators often encounter in their classrooms but may not receive formal training to address.
And the Reality of Teaching While Parenting
This training helps educators understand maternal health warning signs, the impact of postpartum complications, and how family health challenges can affect students and school communities.
And Its Impact on Learning
This pillar introduces educators to the neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and how FASD may present in classroom settings.
In Schools
This session explores the critical role fathers and male caregivers play in student development and school engagement.
And Early Response in Schools
Educators learn foundational mental health awareness skills that help them recognize early warning signs of emotional distress, trauma, or behavioral challenges.
Implementation Model
Each pillar can be delivered as an individual professional learning experience or as part of the full Birth to Bell Cohort Implementation. Schools and districts may choose to implement a single pillar or engage in the complete four-pillar framework to create a comprehensive approach to educator awareness and student support.
Research-based information combined with real-world case examples
Immediately applicable techniques for classrooms and school communities
Each session builds upon previous knowledge for deeper understanding
"Excuses are tools of the incompetent, which monuments of nothingness are built; therefore, I give no excuses."
About Me
Maternal Health Educator • Public Health Professional • Community Health Educator
Desiray Savage is a maternal health educator, public health professional, and Community Health Educator with more than a decade of experience supporting families and communities. She currently serves as a Project Coordinator with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Maternal Health Innovation Program, where she conducts presentations across the state to increase awareness of post-birth warning signs and key maternal health initiatives designed to improve outcomes and reduce maternal mortality rates in North Carolina.
Desiray is a birth doula and a Lamaze-trained childbirth educator. She is also a Proof Alliance–certified Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) trainer and a Mental Health First Aid instructor through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Through her work, she educates professionals and communities on maternal health, early childhood development, mental health awareness, and family well-being.
In addition to her public health work, Desiray also supports students in the classroom, working with Exceptional Children (EC) and teaching English Language Arts (ELA). Her experience working directly with students allows her to bring a unique perspective to her training, helping educators understand how family health, early childhood experiences, and community factors influence student learning and development.
As the founder of Birth to Bell Educational Elevation, Desiray develops training and educational programs that help organizations better understand the connection between maternal health, early life experiences, and long-term outcomes for children and families. Her work focuses on equipping professionals and communities with the knowledge and tools needed to support healthier families and stronger communities.
Get in Touch
Connect with us to learn more about bringing the Birth to Bell Framework to your school or district.
Founder & Lead Facilitator