How Head Start Services Can Improve Birth Outcomes
This resource helps Head Start staff take steps to help pregnant and postpartum women achieve healthier and safer pregnancies.
Community Partners for Serving Expectant Families
When a baby is on the way, family needs become more complex. A network of community partners can help.
Services to Pregnant Women and Expectant Families After a Loss
Explore ways to develop policy that informs a program's plan to offer ongoing and individualized support to families experiencing pregnancy loss.
Engaging Expectant Families, Including Fathers
Early Head Start (EHS) staff engage pregnant mothers and expectant families as they prepare for their new baby. Connecting families to comprehensive prenatal care, such as nutrition education, oral health care, and mental health supports, is all part of the process. This includes engaging fathers from the beginning. Understanding what to expect during pregnancy and after the birth can help young families feel better prepared to face parenthood.
Resources to Share with Expectant Families
Explore and share these tip sheets and other resources for expectant families.
1302.82 Family partnership services for enrolled pregnant women.
This standard requires programs to engage pregnant women and other relevant family members with a specific focus on factors that influence prenatal and postpartum maternal and infant health.
1302.80 Enrolled pregnant women.
Review the requirements for ensuring pregnant women have ongoing access to pre- and postnatal care, conducting the newborn visit, and reducing barriers to healthy birthing outcomes.
1302.81 Prenatal and postpartum information, education, and services.
Programs must provide enrolled expectant families with prenatal and postpartum information, education, and services that address fetal development, parental depression, infant care, safe sleep practices, and more.