Summary.
Law 425 establishes the state framework for ensuring prenatal and early childhood stimulation from conception through early childhood. It creates a service within the Ministry of Health and requires continuous provision.
What it covers.
- Prenatal and early childhood stimulation.
- Family guidance during early childhood.
- The organization and coordination of stimulation services.
Who it applies to.
- Pregnant women and their families.
- Children in early childhood.
- Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud).
- Public and private institutions providing early childhood stimulation.
Key points.
- The law promotes prenatal and early childhood stimulation from conception through early childhood, without exclusion.Art. 1
- It defines prenatal and early childhood stimulation, high-risk and low-risk newborns, family guidance, and stimulation at home. Where risk factors or signs of neurological injury exist, a specialist provides stimulation at home.Art. 2
- Care includes prenatal guidance, mandatory early childhood stimulation in public and private institutions, detection of neurodevelopmental conditions, and habilitation interventions. Qualified stimulation professionals supervise the processes.Art. 3
- The Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud) implements the law in coordination with entities providing early childhood stimulation and family guidance.Art. 4
- The State and intermediary institutions, whether for profit or nonprofit, protect children at this stage, strengthen family ties, and promote family participation.Art. 5
- The law creates an early childhood stimulation and family guidance service within the Ministry of Health, operating through institutions that provide the service nationwide. Early childhood stimulation is mandatory and continuous.Art. 6
- The service develops programs, guides families, identifies populations at risk, collects statistical information, and coordinates institutions, resources, and prenatal and early childhood stimulation programs.Arts. 7-9