Buccaneer Building Blocks

East Tennessee State University and Ballad Health announced a new partnership – Buccaneer Building Blocks – that aims to outfit the #CutestBuc with integral opportunities while creating a foundation for the success of children and their families across the Appalachian Highlands.

Treasured milestones like a baby’s first steps, a sweet smile, or first words are among the moments families forever cherish as their children quickly grow. ETSU and Ballad Health are helping families mark some of those developmental milestones while providing key resources about early childhood education, lifelong learning, and college access planning.

Through this initiative, which began in August 2022, families of all newborn babies delivered at Ballad Health facilities in Tennessee and Virginia receive an information packet with early college planning resources and an ETSU onesie highlighting Buccaneer pride to welcome the next generation to the ETSU family.

“The Buccaneer Building Blocks program allows me to feel the same excitement of a new beginning, similar to my role as a women’s health nurse practitioner holding newborn babies after delivery – each one with a future full of bright possibilities and opportunities,” said ETSU First Lady Donna Noland.

Access to resources about early childhood education, developmental milestones, and proactive tips for families to invest in their children’s future through college access planning is located on the Buccaneer Building Blocks website, etsu.edu/buildingblocks. In addition, information is available outlining 529 College Savings programs and monthly college savings prizes to help jumpstart the planning process.

Families are showcasing their Buccaneer Pride and sharing pictures of their babies wearing the “Cutest Buc” onesies and sharing pictures on social media of their newest family members using the #CutestBuc hashtag.

“This new beginning is not only filled with hope but also resources committed to providing lifelong support for children and families across the Appalachian Highlands,” said Noland. “ETSU and Ballad Health are honored to help families and their children write the first chapter of lifelong success.”

Yasmeen Elayan is a Marketing and Communications Specialist in the Office of University Marketing and Communications. | Photos by Ron Campbell