Family Support Services
Family Support at NorthShore
Throughout your pregnancy and up to baby’s first 2 years, your Family Support Specialist will meet with you during one on one home or office visits, group visits, and family events.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wycaQfDgmI
Topics covered during baby’s first 3 months
- 2 Month Well Child Check-Up and Child Development Screening
- Immunizations Facts & Schedule
- Tummy Time
- Feeding Tips & Risk
- Safe Sleep Practices & Car Seat Safety
- Post-Partum Exams and Birth Control Options
- Baby Blues versus Post-Partum Depression
Topics covered during baby’s 4-6 months
- 4 Month & 6 Month Well Child-Up, Immunization Schedule & Child Development Screenings
- Sleeping Through the Night
- Baby Cereals
- Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
- Child-Proofing & Safety Concerns
- 6 Month Adult Dental Exams & Cleaning
- Stress Management
Topics covered during baby’s 6-9 months
- 9 Month Well Child Check-Up & Child Development Screenings
- Discipline
- Bedtime Routines
- Sippy Cups and Speech Delays
- Safety Checklist
- Common Household Poisons
- Annual Exams for Women & Men
- Emotional Health
Topics covered during baby’s first 9-12 months
- 12 Month Well Child Check-Up & Child Developmental Screening
- Separation Anxiety
- Food to Introduce & Avoid
- Finger Foods
- Car Seat Safety
- Choosing a Babysitter
- Fun Family Activities
Topics covered once baby hits 1 year
- Annual Well Child Check-Ups
- 1st Dental Exam
- Child Development Stages for 1 ½-4 year olds
- Speech and Language Development
- Television & Internet Viewing
- Potty Training
- Family Meals
- Setting Limits & Consequences
- Happy Birthday Baby Celebration
Resources provided as needed:
Health
Medical/Dental/Vision Care & Exams, Healthcare Coverage, Birth Control, Stop Smoking Programs, Transportation to Appointments
Child Development
Childcare & Childcare Assistance, Developmental Delays/Special Needs, Early Childhood Programs/Playgroups
Household Needs
Utilities Assistance Programs, Low Income/Section 8 Housing, Homeless/Family Violence Shelters, TANF/Cash Assistance Programs, Clothing, Employment Assistance Programs, GED Education Programs
Parenting
Counseling, Parenting Classes, Family & Community events
Nutrition Needs
Lactation Program, Food Pantries, SNAP/WIC Programs, Nutrition Programs
Safety
Car Seat Safety Programs, Safe Sleep Programs
Group education:
Family Food Fun Group Meeting: Families with children under age two are invited to a monthly group meeting where they will enjoy interactive story time with their children, including tips on ways to engage their children through each developmental stage. While children have a chance to play with age appropriate toys and books, parents/guardians also receive a cooking demonstration where they can learn ways to shop on a budget. The first 20 families take home groceries with the items used to make the recipe created at each meeting.
Additional services:
- Pregnancy Test Verification
- Breast Pump Assistance
- Car Seat Education, Inspection, and Installation
- Non-Stress Test for High Risk Pregnant Patients
- Pack-N-Play Assistance
- Perinatal Loss Program
- “NWI Family Support” Facebook Page
- Baby Basics
- Big Brother/Big Sister
- Labor Basics
- Family & Friend CPR