Home Visiting Services

Benefits

We know most brain development occurs in the first years of a child’s life: during this critical developmental period, parents receive support and knowledge on how children grow and learn to get them ready for school.

Prenatal and Healthy Beginnings

Pregnancy and new baby visiting is free to families living in Itasca County. Visits are voluntary and include: free welcome package, height/weight measurements of baby, referral to community resources and information on:
  • Baby’s development
  • Bonding/attachment
  • Breastfeeding
  • Feeding your baby
  • General baby care
  • Healthy pregnancy
  • Immunizations
  • Infant cues
  • Labor/delivery
  • Playing with baby
  • Sleep habits

Healthy Start Home Visiting (MECSH)     

Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-visiting Program (MECSH) is an evidenced based nurse home visiting model.

Nurse home visitors work with families beginning in pregnancy or shortly after a baby's arrival through the transition to parenthood, with continuing support until the child celebrates their second birthday. This program supports healthy decision making and effective parenting through the joys and challenges of being a parent or caregiver. Parents and caregivers enroll in a free, voluntary program that is structured and customized to meet the family's goals.

Our nurses are specially trained in:

  • Child development
  • Baby, toddler, & parent health
  • Baby feeding, soothing, & sleep
  • Parenting support

For questions about this program, please call the Public Health Division at 218-327-2941.