Newborn Home Visiting Program in Shelters
Newborn Home Visiting Program in Shelters
City implementation partner: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health, the Newborn Home Visiting Program was expanded to serve families with newborns up to 2 months of age residing in Department of Homeless Services’ shelters. With services collaboratively implemented by a public health advisor and a social worker, families are offered three visits and one follow-up phone call over the course of eight weeks, during which a trained public health advisor provides health education, depression screenings, and resources to improve child development, secure attachment, bonding, breastfeeding, and safe sleep. The public health advisor refers caregivers who could benefit, to mental health counseling provided by a Newborn Home Visiting Program social worker, as well as connects caregivers to mental health services provided in the community.
7,341
eligible caregivers were visited through this program since this program began in 2015