Healthy Start (HS)
The primary goal of the Healthy Start program is to reduce infant mortality, reduce the number of low birth weight babies and improve health and developmental outcomes. It is a short term voluntary program for parents who are expecting a baby or have a newborn. Healthy Start provides participants with information about and referral to the following services: prenatal care; immunizations; well-baby care; breastfeeding and nutrition; the growth and development of their children; parenting; parent-child activities and community services. Enrollment can occur anytime during pregnancy or following the birth of the child. Healthy Start services can be provided up to the third birthday of the child.
The first step to entering the program is to complete a Healthy Start screen. Two Healthy Start screens are made available to the potential participant and their baby at no charge. The first is offered at the prenatal care provider's office. The second screen is offered at the hospital after the baby is born. Initial contact and assessment services are provided prior to assignment of care coordination (home visitation) for risk appropriate services.
The screen is a simple one-page questionnaire that the potential participant fills out with their doctor, nurse, or midwife. Information from the screen can help them get the care, support and services they need to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. The answers to these questions are strictly confidential. Below is a list of Healthy Start's basic and enhanced services:
- Basic Services: The Healthy Start program can help you learn more about:
- Prenatal care: Immunizations and well-baby care; Breastfeeding and nutrition; How your baby grows and develops; Parenting; Fun activities for parents and babies; and How to find community services for you or your family
- Enhanced Services: In addition to Healthy Start's basic services, the following enhanced services are available to our Healthy Start participants:
- Child Birth Education; Dental Services; Nutrition, Psycho-Social Support Services; Tobacco Education and Cessation Counseling; and Women’s Health Action and Empowerment in the Front Porch Area of 32114
|
