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Maternal Child Health Field Nursing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mission of Maternal Child Health Field Nursing?
The mission of the Maternal Child Health Field Nursing (MCH FN) program is to provide preventive home-based services to "at-risk" pregnant women and families of young children using the expertise of Public Health Nurses (PHNs) to maximize the parent/child relationship to assure a safe and nurturing environment.

What is a Public Health Nurse?
A Public Health Nurse (PHN) is a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree and a California Public Health Nurse Certificate. The MCH FN program is comprised of highly trained PHNs who have extensive education and experience in assessing infants, children and their families within the community setting. MCH PHNs have education in child abuse, drug and alcohol addiction and domestic violence.

What population does the MCH FN program serve?
The PHNs provide home-based services to pregnant, postpartum and parenting teens, women and families with children up to the age of three who reside in Sonoma County. The primary focus is providing services to families who are considered at risk for further harm to their well-being. These include:

• Infants exposed to drugs and alcohol in utero;
• Infants who are medically fragile due to prematurity, low birth weight or other medical reasons;
• Families of infants and young children who are reported to be known substance abusers;
• Families of infants and young children who have been victims of and/or currently practice abuse, neglect and/or violence;
• Families of infants and young children who lack basic resources (homeless, no medical care, documented inability to nurture or protect children);
• Teen parents;
• Parents who are developmentally delayed;
• Parents with mental health issues; and
• Infants or children who have been exposed to domestic violence incidents in the home.

The PHNs also work with families who are not at risk but may need education about parenting skills, or assistance with postpartum issues such as breastfeeding.

How are clients identified and referred to the program?
Hospitals, community clinics, physicians and other health providers identify persons who could benefit from our services. Using a simple fax referral form, they refer families to the MCH FN program. PHNs also attend weekly discharge meetings at local hospitals, and work closely with other agencies to seek out clients. A pregnant or postpartum woman, or a family with young children, may also self refer. If you would like a copy of our referral form, the form can be downloaded here.

What services does the MCH FN program provide?
Our home visiting services are offered in both English and Spanish. These services include but are not limited to the following:

• Support the family to have a positive pregnancy and a healthy baby;
• Provide prenatal guidance;
• Provide birthing information;
• Assist families in getting free or low-cost health insurance;
• Assist with obtaining prenatal care, family planning, well-child exams, and immunizations;
• Help find a doctor or a dentist;
• Counsel and refer for family problems;
• Assist with breastfeeding;
• Help to strengthen parenting skills;
• Help find quality child care;
• Teach about normal development and recognize if the baby has special needs;
• Assist with crisis planning; and
• Provide linkages to other resources.

How are clients involved in planning their participation in the MCH FN program?
Each family works closely with a Public Health Nurse to set goals they would like to achieve. Goals can include entering a substance use treatment program, learning how their infant communicates hunger, over stimulation, or sleepiness, or developing a safety plan if the client is in a domestic violence relationship.

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