Our Center Based Program:
- Strives to reach our program goal to support child development in a nurturing learning environment, while simultaneously supporting families to work toward and achieve their goals.
- Opens its doors to outside programs to increase access for families. We have community resource fairs and bring local agencies into the center.
- Sponsors CPR and First Aide training for our families at our center, which assists our families in finding health/child care related employment.
- Invites speakers from local agencies present information at our monthly parent meetings. We are also part of the Cool Culture program, which provides families with passes which grant free admission to NYC museums and cultural institutions.
- Creates opportunities for families to develop social connections with each other.
- We organize bimonthly socials that allow home based families to meet and talk with other home based families.
- Our family celebration events (i.e. Thanksgiving event, Mother's Day event) encourage families to share a meal together.
- Many of our families develop relationships with each other, which have resulted in play dates outside the center.
Our Home Based Program works with pregnant mothers:
- We provide home based services to a variety of families, from pregnant mothers to families with children turning three, exposing the home visitor to the early stages of child development.
- Home visitors use the Partners for a Healthy Baby (Before the Baby Arrives) curriculum.
- Home visitors develop the agenda for their sessions collaboratively with the pregnant mother and any other members involved with family (i.e. father, grandparents).
- Home visitors offer the benefits of breastfeeding, stress reduction, developing support systems, preparation of the home for the new baby, and how to discuss the pregnancy and new baby with older siblings.
- To ensure continuity of care and addressing the importance of prenatal care, our nurse is available to provide medical information and guidance for interested mothers.
- Our nurse provides information about the medical and neurobiological benefits of breastfeeding for the mother and baby.
After the Pregnancy:
- The mother and child remain in our program and transition from receiving home visits for a pregnant mother to visits with a focus on child development.
- Our nurse makes at least two visits to the new family to assess the medical condition of the mother and baby and mental health of the mother. If there are any concerns, our nurse refers the family to the appropriate resources.
- Our home visitors support the family to make plans about how the family will deal with childcare for the new child.
Home Visitor's Involvement During Baby's first months:
- Observes the family and their care of the baby.
- Addresses concerns about postpartum depression.
- Asks questions about the family's stress level and level of outside support.
- Uses our nurse and social worker to provide concrete information about infant care.
- Assesses their financial needs and provide information about entitlement programs which may help the family.
Atlantic Avenue Social Worker
