Family Home Visiting
Home Visits are available in person with an option for virtual or phone visits when needed. Clients should call the Family Health Intake line at 651-266-1568 with questions.
Family home visiting is dedicated to the well-being of pregnant women, fathers and families with young children. Our home visiting services, and other programs, help families raise healthy children who are ready to succeed in school and in life. The staff are highly skilled and experienced in supporting families like yours. We respect all cultural backgrounds. We will support your relationship with your children and connect you with resources based on your family’s specific needs.
Family home visiting supports parents to give their baby the best start possible. A Public Health Nurse will visit you at home or another place you choose during your pregnancy and after your baby is born. Your nurse will offer helpful information and support as you develop new skills as a parent.
The importance of home visiting
- All new parents can use some extra support.
- A new baby means many changes for a family.
- Babies learn so much in their first three years of life.
- Parents are their baby’s first and most important teachers.
- Parents want current information on how babies grow, change and develop.
- We come to you.
Your nurse can help you
- Care for yourself during pregnancy.
- Prepare for the birth of your child.
- Promote your baby’s health and well-being.
- Know if your child is growing and developing well.
- Create a safe home for your child.
- Find healthcare, childcare, school/job options and other helpful services in the community.
- Reach goals you want in your life.
Get started
If you are interested in a home visit from a Public Health nurse, there are a variety of ways to get started:
- Call us at 651-266-1568.
- Ask your doctor to let us know.
- If you go to WIC, the WIC staff can refer you.
- Complete the Family Health Services Request form.
Home visiting programs
Helps pregnant and parenting families adjust to their roles as parents. You and your nurse will work together to decide how often and how long you want to use this program.
We have several programs that provide family support. We will help you find the right one for you.
Lead and Healthy Homes
Provides case management of children with elevated lead levels, uncontrolled asthma or other health conditions related to environmental issues. These programs are coordinated with Environmental Health.
Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home Visiting (MECSH)
Provides public health nurse home visiting for support, education and counseling on health, behavioral and self-sufficiency issues to low-income pregnant women and their families. Nurses begin home visits during pregnancy or no later than 8 weeks after hospital discharge and continue until the child’s 2nd birthday.
Teen Parent Program
A program for pregnant and parenting families under 19 years old. A Public Health Nurse will help guide you through your role as a parent. Nurses can also help you with the balance you will need as a parent and student if you are in school. The nurse will also help you set and reach goals for yourself and your child.
Parenting support groups
Club Mom
Club Mom is a community health gathering for African-American women, ages 19 and up who are pregnant and/or parenting children, 0-5 years. The group is led by Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health staff. As a member of the group, you will have the opportunity to connect with one another, enjoy dinner and participate in helpful guest speaker presentations. Childcare is provided during the presentation hour so that you can focus on learning about topics like stress management tools, child-safety practices, health insurance and healthy child development.
- Learn more about Club Mom
- More information and to get the meeting link: 612-772-2588 or 612-368-4453
Club Dad
Club Dad is a monthly gathering including dinner and educational sessions for African-American men who are fathers. Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health hosts the meetings which includes engaging conversations to assist fathers with life transformation. Possible discussion topics include: building positive parenting relationships, tools for stress management, strategies to overcome barriers such as education and employment and financial literacy. Club Dad is designed to support men in becoming better fathers and partners.
- Learn more about Club Dad
- More information and to get the meeting link: 612-500-7415
Birth Equity Community Council (BECC)
The Birth Equity Community Council (BECC) is an intentional community of partners whose mission is to achieve racial equity in birthing outcomes in Ramsey and Hennepin counties. BECC's mission is to establish family and birthing interventions that bring healing and equitable outcomes. One of BECC’s intervention strategies is facilitating parent support groups. Learn more about BECC by emailing [email protected].
Providers and referral sources
Ramsey County has multiple home visiting programs. We will help the client find the best program for their family. Call 651-266-1568 for more information or to make a referral.
Eligibility for home visits
- First and second time pregnant women.
- Pregnant or parenting teens 19 years or younger.
- First and second time parents up to three months postpartum.
- Families with children up to three years of age with special developmental concerns who desire assistance with additional health and/or early childhood resources.
Birth Equity Community Council
The Birth Equity Community Council (BECC) is an intentional community of partners whose mission is to achieve racial equity in birthing outcomes in Ramsey and Hennepin counties. BECC works to enact family and birthing interventions that foster racial healing and equitable outcomes for individuals, community and across systems. One of BECC’s intervention strategies is partnership with Family Home Visiting programs, which provide direct services to clients and their families
Get connected by sending an email to [email protected].