Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health & CA Home Visiting Programs
Public Health Nurses (PHNs) and Family Support Specialists (FSS) promote and protect the health of our community and are an invaluable resource for pregnant women and families. Our goal is to support families with health equity, preventative health services and education, mental and physical wellness, and promotion of positive health outcomes. Public Health Nurses and Family Support Specialists serve with kindness, know the community and what resources are available for families.
On this page you can learn more about the PHN and FSS supported programs. Each program is designed to support El Dorado County families by providing resources, information, and education about preventative health, family planning, and pregnancy.
Who are Public Health Nurses?
Public Health Nurses have advanced degrees and are registered nurses. They understand the critical linkage between disease transfer data and have a clinical understanding of health and illness. Our PHNs also work with Health Education Coordinators and Care Management Counselors— trained outreach workers who assist families with connection to community programs and resources that assist families with meeting their health needs.
Services Provided
Home Visiting is a service where a public health nurse comes to the home, does a needs assessment, and provides a variety of services that assist both the parents and children. It is a great resource to support families during pregnancy and after the birth of a child.
- Supports the entire family, regardless of income or insurance, with resources and provider coordination that will support your family's health
- Connection to community programs and services designed to assist families meet their basic needs
- Assistance with Medi-Cal applications, insurance, and coordination with medical providers
- Connection to providers for preventative health, teen health, behavioral health, family planning, and reproductive health services
- Public health nurses assist with prenatal care coordination, pregnancy, preparing for labor, weighing your baby, and well-child checks
- Nurses educate and give tips on breastfeeding, child development activities, childhood illnesses, and preventative care
- Connection to behavioral health services, substance use treatment services, and well visits for your whole family
- Postpartum depression screenings, referrals, and support
- Case management for high-risk or medically fragile pediatric and obstetric clients
- Assessing for signs and symptoms of prenatal drug exposure
- Developmental assessments and milestones (Ages & Stages)
- Referrals and resources for special-needs children
- Environmental assessment of the home for health dangers
Who are Family Support Specialists?
The California Home Visiting Program is called Healthy Families El Dorado County (HFEDC). This program matches families with trained home visiting professionals called a Family Support Specialist. The FSS offers parenting information, resources, and support during pregnancy and throughout a child's first critical years. This early-intervention program helps vulnerable families get off to a solid start, helping ensure the emotional, physical, and developmental care of California's children. Home visiting services have proven to have a positive impact on families, providing measurable and long-term benefits for children's development.
Healthy Families El Dorado County is an evidenced-based program that works to support parenting, attachment, child development, and family strengthening. Our family-centered approach honors the relationships, culture, traditions, and values of the family unit. The FSS forms a collaborative partnership with the family, using knowledge and expertise to drive the goals and needs set by the family. During home visits, the FSS uses the Growing Great Kids curriculum, which emphasizes a learn-through-play approach.
Classes
- Youth Baby Ready Group
- South Lake Tahoe weekly postpartum support group. Please see our support group Flyer(PDF, 162KB) for more information.
How to get connected
For facilities, providers, and agencies that are requesting services on behalf of a client:
Individuals should call 530-621-6108 for information and services.
