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Families First: For First-Time Parents

Having Your First Baby?

The Families First program offers mothers and fathers a special welcome for your first baby!

• Home visit tailored to your needs and interests
• Health and safety gifts for your baby
• Information about local resources for new parents

Families First home visiting agencies are located throughout Sonoma County, and are ready to:

• Welcome new births and celebrate new parenthood
• Provide information about early childhood
• Provide referrals to appropriate resources and services
• Promote the health and well-being of babies and familes

Your hospital or birth center can connect you to Families First after your baby is born. You can also request a visit using our online "Request a Visit" form, or call 565-4507.

Eligible families include parents who are parenting an infant for the first time, adoptive parents with their first baby, and families with other children who live in the Santa Rosa area (see the Watch Me Grow program below).

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Request a Visit

First-time mothers and fathers interested in receiving a free visit after the baby is born can give us permission to contact them by signing a Families First form in the hospital or birthing center after the baby is born. After the baby is born, parents can also request a visit using our online request a visit form, or by calling our office directly at 565-4507.

One of our home visitors will call after the family is settled at home, to provide more information about the program and offer to visit at a time that is convenient for the family.

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Parent Testimonials

"This service was very helpful. I was feeling lost and didn't know where to turn. Now I have several options I can begin with to become a better parent. Thank you."

"My home visitor made me feel part of the greater community, and that I wasn't alone."

"I really enjoyed my visit, it was a chance for her father to be involved in the educational aspect and health as well. I think this is a wonderful, informational program for first-time parents."

"Este programa me parece una magnifica información para aclarar las dudas que tengo con mi bebe."

"This Families First is an excellent program, I have already told several people about it. In addition to the very valuable info provided, the home visitor really boosts one's self-confidence in being a new parent - essential in these early days of being at home with a newborn. I look forward to my next visit."

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"Watch Me Grow" Program

"Watch Me Grow" is a school-readiness pilot program. Families with newborns living in a specific area of Santa Rosa can receive home visits from Families First, even if they have other children. If a family lives in the attendence area of these Santa Rosa schools...

• Bellevue
• Brook Hill
• Burbank
• Kawana
• Lehmann
• Lincoln
• Meadow View
• Monroe
• Roseland
• Sheppard
• Steele Lane

...they can receive home visits from Families First, even if the newborn baby is not their first child. These families can also receive additional visits and services from the "Watch Me Grow" program. The "Watch Me Grow" program serves all children, from age 0 to 5 years, in this specific area of Santa Rosa. Call the Early Learning Institute at 707-591-0170 for more information about the "Watch Me Grow" program.

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Online Resources

Breastfeeding Support
Source: Sonoma County Dept. of Health Services.

California Children Services
Source: Sonoma County Dept. of Health Services.

California Early Start
Source: California Dept. of Developmental Services.

Child Care Services
Source: Community Child Care Council of Sonoma County.

Economic Services
Source: Sonoma County Dept. of Human Services.

Find Health Care for Your Children
Source: Healthy Kids Sonoma County.

Medi-Cal Information
Source: State of California, Dept. of Health Services.

Mothers and Parents Clubs:

• Northern Sonoma Mothers Club 547-9989
• Petaluma Mothers Club 778-6494
• Rohnert Park-Cotati Mothers Club 522-8642
• Santa Rosa Mothers Club 525-5902
• Sonoma Valley Mothers Club 996-9890
• Sonoma County Mothers of Multiples 1-866-894-6569

Order New Parents Kits
Contains six videos, parenting brochures, a resource guide, and baby's first book. To order, call: 800-543-7025 (English) or 800-506-4667 (Spanish).

Parenting Classes
Source: California Parenting Institute.

Parents Place in Sonoma County
Source: Jewish Family and Children's Services.

Preventive Health Exams for Eligible Children
Source: Sonoma County Dept. of Health Services.

Services for Children with Special Needs
Source: Early Learning Institute.

Teen Parent Connections
Source: Sonoma County Dept. of Health Services.

Women, Infants, Children
Source: Sonoma County Dept. of Health Services.

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