It provides outreach, maternity care, and health care to low-income women and infants. The First Steps Program is made up of two services. This program seeks to provide preventive health services designed to supplement medical visits and include assessment, education, intervention and counseling provided by an interdisciplinary team of public health nurses, a nutritionist and a psychosocial worker. The intent of the program is to provide MSS interventions as early in pregnancy as possible in an effort to promote positive birth and parenting outcomes. Pregnant women whose income is below 185 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible.
All services are voluntary and are covered by medical coupons.
The Case Managers can help families with transportation, housing, food, parent support group, education and employment issues. The First Steps to a healthy mother and baby are making contact with the First Steps Staff. Limited financial assistance may be available for specialized medical care not covered by private insurance or medical coupons. This program focuses on health, safety, injury, and disease prevention issues as they relate to child care. The program offers educational classes for licensed and unlicensed child care providers, including HIV, CPR, and First Aid Classes.