Services provided through our Family and Child Health Programs focus on improving health. These services include: serving families with high-risk pregnancies or children with special health needs to ensure the best possible environment for the critical time of early childhood; promoting good nutrition and oral health, providing health education, support and linking individuals and families to other resources needed to promote health and wellness.
First Steps
What is First Steps?
First Steps is a program designed to help mothers have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Who is First Steps for?
All pregnant women covered with a Medical ID Card (MAID) qualify for First Steps. If you have no medical coverage you are urged to apply for services.
If you are a teenager living with your family, you may apply for coverage. Your eligibility will be determined by your personal income. If you are not a documented U.S. resident, you may also receive First Steps coverage.
What does First Steps offer?
- Personalized visits throughout your pregnancy and for the first two months after your baby is born with a team of professionals who care about you and your baby
- Visits with a public health nurse who will help you to know what to expect with your pregnancy, and childbirth, and how to care for your newborn
- Help in finding medical care and other services you may need
- Counseling to help you eat healthy while you are pregnant and help to make decisions about how you plan to feed your newborn
- Information about birth control after your baby is born
- Visits with our Behavioral Health Specialist who can provide one-on-one support and answer any questions or concerns you may have about issues you are dealing with.
- Help getting drug/alcohol counseling or other social support you may need
- WIC food vouchers at the time of each visit
For more information on First Steps call (360) 875-9343 or (360) 642-9349 or click here to view the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services First Steps web page.
Children with Special Health Care Needs
The Children with Special Health Care Needs program provides support by a trained public health nurse for families with children who have special health care needs.
The program can help families with:
- Information on childhood issues like eating and nutrition, growth and development, and behavior.
- Information about your child’s medical condition.
- Identifying programs that might assist your child.
- Locating and securing financial assistance that you may be eligible for.
- Scheduling appointments and arranging transportation.
The program offers assistance to children who are:
- Under 18 years of age, and
- Have a condition which may prevent them from growing, developing or playing like other children, or
- Have a condition that places them at risk for being disabled.
For more information call (360) 532-8631 or visit the Washington State Department of Health’s Children with Special Health Care Needs web page.
Early Intervention Program
Public Health nurses provide home-based services to children and families who have been referred to the program by Child Protective Services (CPS) becuase they are potentially at-risk for child abuse and/or neglect. Parenting skills and child development education are provided, along with referrals to other resources. Services are designed to strengthen families and improve the health of all family members.
WIC (Women, Infants and Children)Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program
The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program offers valuable support to expectant and new mothers from a person very much like themselves. Whether you are a first time mom thinking about breastfeeding, or have breastfed other children, the peer counselor is there to answer questions, offer support and guidance, and reassure you. Peer counselors have both personal experience and specific training so they are very skilled and able to help you and your baby.
Peer counselors:
- Help pregnant women make the decision about infant feeding
- Talk to mothers about their thoughts about breastfeeding
- Help new mothers get off to a good start with breastfeeding
- Explain ways to prevent common breastfeeding problems
- Refer mothers to appropriate health professionals
This mother-to-mother support can be provided in the home, office or over the phone. Our intent is to help your baby get off to the healthiest start possible and make breastfeeding an enjoyable experience for you.
For more information or to talk to our peer counselor, Tessa Clements, please call 360-875-9343
Breastfeeding information Washington State
Text 4 Baby website has great information for parents
We provide the following programs meant to promote Family and Child Health: