Healthy Pregnancy/Birth and Early Childhood
National Resources - Maternal and Child Health
Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program
The MIECHV Program supports home visiting for pregnant women and parents living in vulnerable communities. Home visits by a nurse, social worker, early childhood educator, or other trained professional support positive parenting and improve family health. States, territories, and tribal entities receive funding through the MIECHV Program, which is administered through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Program BriefHealthy Start
With federal funding from HRSA, Healthy Start programs seek to improve the health of America's mothers and children before, during, and beyond pregnancy. Healthy Start reduces infant mortality rates, increases access to early pre-natal care, and removes barriers to health care. In 2019, there were 101 Healthy Start projects in 34 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico.
Nurse-Family Partnership
Through Nurse-Family Partnership, specially trained nurses regularly visit young, first-time parents, starting early in the pregnancy and continuing through the child's second birthday. The expectant parents benefit by getting the care and support they need to have a healthy pregnancy. At the same time, new mothers develop a close relationship with a nurse who becomes a trusted resource.
Program Information and Directory
Early Head Start
Early Head Start (EHS) programs serve children under the age of three and pregnant women. EHS programs provide intensive comprehensive child development and family support services to low-income families.
WIC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Program and Application Information
Planned Parenthood
In addition to pregnancy tests and options counseling, some Planned Parenthood health centers offer pre-natal care.
New York City and State Resources - Maternal and Child Health
New York State Department of Health: Pregnant or Parenting Families
Free, voluntary programs that offer home visits by a family support provider during pregnancy and early childhood.
Information and Program Directory
Maternal and Infant Community Health Collaboratives (MICHC)
Through the MICHC initiative, New York State is working to improve maternal and infant health outcomes for high-need, low-income women and their families. There are 23 MICHC projects across the state collaborating with community partners.
Information and Project Directory
Healthy Families New York
The Healthy Families New York home visiting program matches parents with knowledgeable and caring workers who provide information and support during pregnancy and early childhood. Services include helping families access community resources and services, educating families on parenting and child development, connecting families with medical providers, and assessing children for developmental delays.
Information and Link to Program Directory
Public Health Solutions Maternal-Child Health Programs
Public Health Solutions (PHS) provides a variety of evidence-based home-visiting services to pregnant and parenting families in New York City. PHS Nurse Home Visitors and Family Support Workers offer education, tools, and support during pregnancy and through early childhood. These services are voluntary and free. They support low-income families to access health care and community resources, learn about healthy parenting, continue their own education and employment, and support their child's optimal development.
Maternal-Child Health Programs
Doula Care
Doulas provide non-medical support to pregnant people and their families before, during, and after childbirth. Their support can help families handle the physical, emotional, and practical issues that surround childbirth. Learn more about doula care and resources from NYC Health.
New York State Doula Pilot Program
The NYS Department of Health has launched a pilot expansion of the State's Medicaid program to cover doula services. The doula pilot is a part of the State's multi-pronged initiative to target maternal mortality and reduce racial disparities in health outcomes.
Sexual and Reproductive Health
National Resources - Sexual Health
Planned Parenthood: Find a Health Center
Planned Parenthood affiliates around the country deliver a wide range of sexual and reproductive health care services with a commitment to quality and equal access for all.
Office of Population Affairs: Find a Family Planning Clinic
Enter your city or zip code to find local family planning and sexual health resources funded through Title X.
Bedsider
In addition to birth control information and resources, Bedsider provides directories to help users find reproductive health services.
New York City and State Resources - Sexual Health
Family Planning Benefit Program (FPBP)
The FPBP is a public health insurance program for New Yorkers who need family planning services but may not be able to afford them. The program is intended to increase access to confidential family planning services and to enable teens and adults of childbearing age to prevent and/or reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancies.
Family Planning Program Sites
The New York State Department of Health lists family planning programs by county on this page. The programs listed provide comprehensive, confidential reproductive health care services to all adults and adolescents regardless of ability to pay or immigration status.
Public Health Solutions Sexual and Reproductive Health Centers
Public Health Solutions (PHS) provides affordable, confidential sexual and reproductive health care to more than 4,000 women, men, and adolescents each year. PHS offers a complete range of sexual and reproductive health services and health education.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Centers
Single Mothers
Verywellfamily: Single Parenting
This collection of articles covers a range of topics for single parents, including establishing paternity, filing for child support, and much more.
Investing in Single Mothers' Higher Education by State
The Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) conducted a study to estimate the economic costs and benefits at the state and national levels of single mothers' pursuit and attainment of college degrees. The findings of IWPR's study demonstrate the importance of investing in greater access to college for single mothers, including in the supports that can help them be successful once enrolled. Fact sheets for each state are available.