For parents seeking additional support or guidance during pregnancy and their child’s early years, The Baby Fold’s Healthy Start Program lovingly wraps its arms around families, offering encouragement and expert guidance every step of the way.
The Healthy Start program is free and voluntary, but requires commitment from the parent(s) to invite a Family Support Specialist into their home weekly throughout pregnancy and regularly after their baby is born. Parents can remain in the program until their child is at least 3 years old.
Based on the belief that a parent is the child’s first teacher, the Support Specialist brings many interactive ideas to help parents bond with their baby and encourage healthy child development. The Support Specialist becomes a trusted confidant, a tie to other community resources, and an answer to so many “what do I do” questions. Not only does the Support Specialist help the parent relate to their child, but they also help the parents build a healthy, safe environment for their family. At the end of the Healthy Start program, the family graduates, knowing they have the resources and knowledge to manage the stresses of life.
No other program wraps around a family with the range of supportive, educational, and resource links as Healthy Start.
Eligibility
- Lives in McLean County
- Expectant parents or families OR those with babies under 3 months old
Referral Process
Healthy Start accepts referrals from anyone – including the health department, hospitals, schools, friends, family and current and previous participants. Self-referrals are welcomed. Referrals can be made by the options below.
Refer to Healthy Start
Click here to fill out a referral form
Email:
Phone: (309) 557-1145
Services
All Healthy Start services, from referral to case closing, are offered free and voluntarily. Parents choose to participate and they can discontinue services at any point. Once enrolled in the program, parents can participate in home visiting services until their child turns at least three years old. Services can be provided in English, Spanish, and French, and include the following:
Home visits: Family Support Specialists meet families in their homes, or wherever they are comfortable to meet and talk about pregnancy and parenting topics specific to the families’ needs. Family Support Specialists share information on a wide variety of topics including pregnancy, fetal development, preparing for labor and delivery, newborn care, feeding, sleeping, reading and responding to infant cues, child development, parenting techniques, stress management, home safety, and postpartum depression. Every home visit includes parent-child activities and focuses on supporting the parent-child relationship. Family Support Specialists assist parents in identifying their strengths and needs, establishing family goals, and linking with community resources.
Doula services: Healthy Start Doulas are DONA-trained specialists who offer a variety of support to expectant parents in the Healthy Start Program. During pregnancy, they are a trusted resource, answering questions and alleviating fears. They help create individualized birth plans and provide advocacy when necessary. During labor, the Healthy Start Doula offers emotional and physical support as baby is welcomed into the world. Doula services are available from the third trimester until the infant is 6 to 8 weeks old.
Mental Health: Through individual and group settings, a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist offers support and screenings to expectant and new parents who are experiencing stress, anxiety, parenting concerns, and Perinatal Mood Anxiety Disorder (PMAD).
Groups: Healthy Start offers fun family engagement events and support groups throughout the year for all Healthy Start families through PNC's Grow Up Great grant.
Books: Thanks to Books for Bloomington-Normal Kids, every child in the Healthy Start program receives one new book a month.
Baby items: Participating families may receive baby items on occasion. This includes diapers, wipes, home safety items, blankets, clothes, pacifiers, etc. The availability of these items varies throughout the year.
Accreditation
The Baby Fold’s Healthy Start program is accredited by Healthy Families America.
Contact
The Baby Fold
318 Susan Dr.
Normal, IL 61761
Email:
Phone: (309) 557-1145
Current Needs
There are ongoing needs to help support the programs and services of The Baby Fold. The document below contains specific needs for Healthy Start.
