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Policy 

Early Head Start staff will establish visits with the enrolled pregnant person to provide comprehensive referral, resources and education to support the pregnancy. Visits and follow-ups will be documented in Child Plus.  

Procedure: 

  1. Within 30 days of enrollment the home visitor will determine whether the pregnant client has an ongoing source of continuous, accessible health care.  
  2. Ongoing follow-up of the actions being taken and documentation to ensure access to health care throughout the pregnancy and the antenatal and postpartum phases (up to six weeks post-partum) will be documented in the Child Plus system by EHS home visitor, Health and Safety Consultant, ECEC (Early Childhood Education Coordinator) and FSC (Family Service Coordinator).   
  3. Access to comprehensive services (with documentation of referrals) in nutritional counseling, food assistance, oral health care, mental health services, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and emergency shelter or transitional housing in cases of domestic violence.
  4. A newborn visit with each birthing parent and baby will be scheduled within two weeks of birth, to offer support and identify family needs. The visit must include a discussion of the following: maternal mental and physical health, safe sleep, infant health, and support for basic needs.  
  5. Prenatal education to enrolled pregnant person and their family members (as appropriate) on postpartum recovery that specifically includes education and screening in maternal depression, breastfeeding, the risks of alcohol, drugs, and smoking and the benefits of substance use treatment and infant care and safe sleep practices. . Mental health concerns to be discussed include anxiety, depression, grief or loss, birth trauma, and substance use. (Also See PHQ9 flow chart for HSOLC) 
  6. Staff will engage the enrolled pregnant person and other family members in a plan for the infant’s transition to program enrollment and support the family during the transition process, where appropriate. 
  7. The home visitor will schedule visits with the enrolled pregnant person to implement the curriculum and provide resources and referrals. 

Documentation and tracking: 

Home visitors use the tabs in Child Plus to record services as follows: 

  1. Pregnancy Tab – For PIR 
  2. At Home Learning – documentation for each home visit 
  3. Family Services – Information and referrals and other supports for the pregnant person

Expectant Parent Curriculum 

  1. Home Visitors/Teachers will use a research-based curriculum to support healthy social emotional development for children and families prenatally and postpartum. Curriculum topics will be introduced to families during home visits, following curriculum fidelity tool and practices, no less than every other week for combination and homebased Early Head Start models. Topics will be documented within the At Home Learning Event in Child Plus. 
  2. Early Head Start staff will partner with expectant parents to gain knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue their own interests in the context of life, family culture, community, and the world. The curriculum plan integrates the various Early Head Start components, such as those listed in Performance Standard (1302.81). The chosen curriculum is culturally and linguistically appropriate and recognizes each family’s interests, temperament, and life experiences. 

Reducing Barriers to Healthy Maternal and Birthing Outcomes 

When families identify that there is a newly pregnant person in the household: 

  1. An application to EHS will be offered and support provided to complete the application. 
  2. The new pregnancy will be documented in Family Services by adding a flag “Pregnant Parent”. 
  3. Data around disparities across racial and ethnic groups will be reviewed at the ERSEA and Consultant meetings and through self–assessment. 

This policy meets Head Start Performance Standards:

Approved by Policy Council. 11/2024

REVIEWED:

Updated: