McDowell County
Partnership for Children
PROGRAMS
PARTNERSHIP
GET INVOLVED
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Healthy
Start This program, administered by The McDowell Hospital, offers support and instruction to new moms. A trained assessment worker examines all records of first time moms that deliver at the McDowell Hospital using a standard research tool. Those that screen positive on paper or who are referred by a physician are interviewed by a registered nurse. Mothers that continue to screen positive after the interview phase are invited to take part in an intensive home visiting program based on Healthy Families of America. As staffing and time allow, second- and third-time mothers who continue to screen positive may be accepted in the program. Initially, home visits are made weekly by a trained paraprofessional-Family Support Worker for support and instruction on positive parenting and child development. Patients are visited per protocol bi-weekly, monthly, and every three-months based on the Healthy Families model. A Registered Nurse and a Spanish-language interpreter assist the Family Support Worker as needed. First Steps Administered by The McDowell Hospital, this program provides support to new mothers, who are ineligible for Medicaid home visits, to address the issues of a shortened length of hospital stay for postpartum mothers. Eligible families are found through maternity records at The McDowell Hospital, physician, and self-referral. Families are contacted while the Mother is in the hospital or by telephone after discharge. An initial home visit is made by the Registered Nurse employed by this Activity. During the home visit the Mother and new baby receive a physical assessment, a home safety inspection, and education on health topics, including breastfeeding. Additional home visits can be made to address specific problems as needed, i.e. breastfeeding problems or jaundice. Telephone contact is maintained for six months. A Spanish-language Interpreter is available.
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