History:
This empirically evaluated model program was developed by Dr. David Olds in Elmira,
New York over 25 years ago. The LAC Department of Health Services, in collaboration
with UCLA and California Hospital Medical Center, piloted this program with four
Public Health Nurses (PHNs) in September 1997. This program is funded by MCH, Prop
10, and the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS).
Health Problems:
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Barriers to improvements in maternal health
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Barriers to appropriate social functioning and parental behaviour among women with
children 0-2 years of age.
Goal:
Improve the health of Los Angeles County first-time mothers and their newborns.
Objectives:
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Reduce cigarettes smoking during pregnancy among women who smoked cigarettes
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Reduce the number of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and less severe cases among
those with the condition.
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Reduce the number of children's health care-encounters for injuries and ingestion of
poisons from birth through child's second birhday
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Reduce the number of maltreatment cases among at-risk families for children 0-2 years
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Increase in the number of labor force participation by first child's fourth birthday.
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30-month reduction in TANF/CalWORKS utilization among low-income unmarried women by
first child's 15th birthday (15-year follow up in Elmira, NY)
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Reduce subsequent pregnancies among low-income, unmarried women by first child's
fourth birthday
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Reduce behavioural problems among the mothers due to substance abuse
Activities/Services:
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Weekly visits during the first month following enrollment
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Biweekly visits for the remainder of the pregnancy
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Weekly visits during the first six weeks after delivery
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Biweekly visits thereafter through the 21st month of childhood
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Monthly visits until the child reaches age two
Eligibility/Target Population:
First time pregnant young mothers (preferably under the age of 26) less than 28 weeks
pregnant and living in poverty. Depending upon which funding stream has openings,
mothers may be accepted if they are either undocumented, CalWorks - (TANF) enrolled,
or designated in a "Needy Family."
Public Health Nurse Perinatal Home Visitation Education Program
Confidenital Referral Form For first time and high risk pregnant mothers:
Microsoft Word:
Confidential Referral Form
Confidential Referral Form Instruction
Adobe Acrobat
Confidential Referral Form
Confidential Referral Form Instruction
Program Factsheet
For more information or to make referral by phone, please
call (213) 639-6433 or
(213) 639-6434.
Preconception Health