The program has been replicated in Kentucky, and plans call for First Steps to be implemented in several other school districts in Oregon and Washington during the 1995-96 school year. Over the years, BASE has served 145 families, including 256 children. These families have been unable to benefit from less intensive programs such as parenting courses, drug treatment, or anger management. Parents who don't succeed in the BASE program are in danger of losing their parental rights. Healthy Start participants get information on child development that helps them understand more about raising their newborns.
Counselors work with parents both before and after delivery of their baby.
Fifteen Oregon counties have adopted Healthy Start programs.