Family Support Resources, Services and Follow-up

Family Support Approaches to Servicing Families 

GHC Early Childhood Program believes that through the support services made available to every family, opportunities are created for families to enhance the quality of their lives as engaged parents and families in their child’s growth and development. GHC staff are committed to partnering with each family; identifying their strengths and needs, and accessing community resources, services, and/or referrals which support the individual family’s interests and goals. It is the wish of GHC Early Childhood Program that every family has avenues of support to rely on in a crisis/emergency situation. 

 Key Responsibility:  The Family Services Staff (Family Support Specialist Manager, Family Support Specialist, Home Visitor, and Case Manager) are responsible for Family Partnering Systems. 

Resources: One critical aspect of parent/family education is the sharing of information and materials regarding accessing community services and resources. 

GHC staff obtain information about local resources in the community, along with state and federal resources. Resources available to families are kept up-to-date in the GHC Resource Bank.  Family Support staff attend monthly resource connection meetings/training where current resources are discussed and shared. 

The team is able to support families with referrals to community services. Referrals and services offered to families are based on individual family need. Staff support families by developing, organizing, maintaining, and utilizing their support systems should an emergency or crisis arise.  

GHC Early Childhood Program will provide each family with information and support accessing assistance based on individual family needs. In addition to giving each family resource and referral connection information, staff will inform families of their own availability in the case of a family crisis or emergency.  

Each enrolled family receives a resource packet at their first Home Visit, which contains the GHC Directory of Services and more. Staff will follow up within two weeks of when resource/referral information was given to ensure assistance was found or make additional referrals as necessary. If a family does not have a Family Service Home Visit, these same resources will be provided by the Family Support Specialist as soon as possible. 

Services for Pregnant Women:  Once enrolled, pregnant women, participate in ongoing home visiting services and are given assistance as needed in accessing resources and/or being referred to comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care. The home visitor encourages fathers and relevant family members to participate in the services provided to pregnant women. In the event an enrolled pregnant woman does not have access to health care, the program will facilitate access to appropriate health care and/or health insurance coverage within 30 days of enrollment. In partnership with pregnant women, early and ongoing risk assessments are completed. This includes identifying needs for crisis support, any healthcare-related services, mental health services (including substance abuse prevention and treatment as appropriate), nutritional services, dental care emergency, shelter or transitional housing, and social services using the Prenatal Health History form which is completed at the first Prenatal Home Visit. Prenatal education is offered to all enrolled expectant families through utilizing the Partners for a Healthy Baby curriculum. All enrolled mothers who give birth will receive a follow-up home visit within two weeks of the delivery of the infant which will be reviewed by the Health and Safety Manager.