Infant Support for Parents and Caregivers

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand cribs, bassinets, strollers and other furniture that has been designed for infants/babies.

Informational materials about sleep-related infant death. Materials include pamphlets, brochures, journals, and other print-based materials, as well as videos, films, and other media materials.

Programs that issue bulletins to update the public about appliances, clothing, electronics, electrical power devices, furniture, household products, lighting/lighter products, sports/exercise equipment, toys and other consumer products that are subject to voluntary or mandatory recall or about which safety concerns have been registered. Safe handing information may be provided in situations where a product reported to be a safety hazard may still be for sale or in consumers’ homes.

Programs that are designed to raise awareness of the measures people can take to prevent accidents and provide for the safety of young children. The programs deal broadly with a wide range of infant and child safety issues rather than focusing on specific areas of risk. Topics may include car seat safety and installation, sleep safety, stroller/carrier safety, high chair safety, health concerns (e.g., Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, shaken baby syndrome, lead poisoning, sun exposure and the risks associated with second hand smoke), choking and fall prevention, pet safety, pool and general water safety and baby-proofing the home.

Programs that offer classes which teach child care providers, babysitters, parents, grandparents, teachers and others who supervise children to recognize and care for cardiac and breathing emergencies common to infants and children, usually from birth to age 12. Also, programs that provide instruction that covers a range of basic paramedical techniques (such as controlling bleeding, preventing shock, rigging emergency splints/wraps for bone breaks/sprains) that can be used to provide basic emergency treatment for individuals who are sick or have been injured before professional medical attention is available.

Programs that provide pre-service or in-service training for individuals entering or currently involved in the delivery of child care services in any of a variety of child care settings. Also, programs that provide opportunities for young people to learn the basic skills and emergency procedures that are required for the care of infants and small children.

Programs that provide educational and supportive services for new parents or those expecting a child, to prepare them on an emotional and practical level for the impact the newborn will have on their lives and relationships. Initial focus areas include healthy eating for the mother, danger signs in pregnancy, sibling preparation and being ready for labor and delivery, followed by practical information on basic infant care, newborn behaviors, baby supplies, bathing techniques, diapering, breastfeeding and other feeding options, as well as infant and childhood illnesses.

Programs that provide information and instruction concerning appropriate techniques for nursing an infant for expectant parents or new mothers.

Programs that pay for or supply equipment that is used to extract milk from mothers who need to store breast milk so that their infants can continue to have breast milk while they are at work or otherwise engaged, and who cannot afford to rent or purchase the equipment at regular prices.

Programs that maintain information about community resources that are appropriate for moms and which link individuals in need with appropriate resources and/or which provide information about community agencies and organizations that offer specialized services.

Programs that maintain information about community resources that are appropriate for caregivers, and which link individuals who in need with appropriate resources and/or which provide information about community agencies and organizations that offer specialized services. Also, programs that support the ability of kinship caregivers to assure the safety and healthy development of children and youth and help to prevent unnecessary entries into foster care.

Programs that provide a brief period of rest or relief for parents, grandparents, guardians, family members who are regular caregivers for dependent children by offering temporary or intermittent care for the child. Also, support groups whose members are individuals who have adopted a child or are considering or in the process of adoption, birth parents who relinquished a child for adoption, people who were themselves adopted, foster care providers, children in foster care, kinship caregivers, children cared for by relatives under a formal or informal kinship care arrangement, and/or adults who, as children, were raised in foster or kinship care.

Programs that provide emotional support, information and guidance in a variety of settings for individuals who have symptoms of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or postpartum psychosis, mental disorders that are associated with PMADs and affect an estimated 15% to 21% of pregnant and postpartum individuals in the weeks before and/or after their baby’s birth.

Programs that connect individuals who have a substance use disorder with a recovery coach who supports patients, family members and treatment personnel in launching the individual’s recovery process or stabilizing recovery when needed. Also, programs that provide comprehensive treatment services on a residential, outpatient or day treatment basis for pregnant individuals who have a substance use disorder, postpartum individuals who are parenting children, generally age three or younger, and/or postpartum individuals who have babies who were exposed to drugs and/or alcohol during pregnancy.

Programs that utilize one or a variety of techniques including aversion therapy, hypnosis, acupuncture, acupressure, and individual and/or group therapy or mutual support groups to help people who wish to control their dependence on nicotine and give up regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes (vaping), cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff or other substances containing nicotine. Also, support groups whose members are individuals who wish to recover from their dependence on nicotine and give up cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff or other substances containing nicotine.

A public health nutrition program administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service that provides nutrition education, nutritious foods, breastfeeding support and health care referrals for income-eligible pregnant or postpartum individuals, infants and children up to age five. Foster parents, grandparents, guardians and single fathers who have custody of their children may also be eligible to receive food assistance for children up to age five if they meet income guidelines.

Programs that cover all or part of the cost of child care in public and licensed private child care centers or private family child care homes, usually for low-income families or families which include children with disabilities in situations where parents are working, in school or in a training program. Also included are programs that pay the costs of in-home or out-of-home child care when the parent is receiving diagnostic tests, undergoing medical treatment, is hospitalized or needs to be out of the house for other reasons; and those that provide financial assistance to families with young children to help cover some of the costs of a parent staying home to care for their child.

Programs that are licensed to provide supervised care within designated facilities for children during some portion of a 24-hour day. Staff for approved day care centers must meet defined educational requirements; the program must ensure specified adult/child ratios; and the facility must meet building, fire and zoning codes.

Programs that pay for or provide cloth or disposable diapers.

Programs that pay for or provide new or secondhand clothing and layettes for infants and young children.

Programs that supply infant formula and/or baby food, usually in addition to other groceries.