We work with each prenatal patient to prepare her for parenthood, and follow up on a regular schedule after the birth. Last year, we enrolled 362 new families in Healthy Steps and provided a total of 1,988 well-child visits expanded to incorporate anticipatory guidance for parents and a schedule of developmental assessments.
Additional Healthy Steps services include parent discussion groups, a telephone information line, home visits for those families with special or multiple needs, and referrals to local community agencies to meet additional family needs.
Based on a national best practices curriculum, Healthy Steps is an early childhood development program for ages 0-3. Our staff has tailored the model to meet the unique needs of our population. One particularly innovative enhancement is the addition of a mental health therapist to the team to provide screening and treatment of concerns including postpartum depression.
Healthy Steps specialists guide families through all of the physical, emotional, and intellectual milestones that children experience in the early years. Topics addressed include everything from breastfeeding through toilet training and age-appropriate toys to literacy. This education empowers parents with the tools to take responsibility for monitoring and nurturing their children’s development.
