Families visited between 4-9 months seem to make a stronger connection and start using other Center programs. Contact each family by phone to offer the visit, explain the program, and get some initial information from the family so that the visit can be personalized. Many area businesses donate gifts or coupons to include in the bags. We include at least one children's book along with other gifts for the newborn in every bag, as well as a small gift for the mother, and frequently something for the father. Referrals mostly come from agencies working with families.
Visits run for the first three months of a child's life.
Trained volunteers do the visits. Town Clerks provide a list of newborns, but there is a time delay and the list must be picked up by program staff. The Welcome Baby Project, supported regionally through the Washington Area Success By Six Project, reaches out to families with newborns in 22 towns in the Washington County area. A few days later, Welcome Baby Visitors begin to make phone calls to parents at various times of day and on various days of the week in a concerted effort to set up visits. The content and tone of these calls is crucial to the success of this community connection.