Maternal And Child Health Program

Our Maternal and Child Health program provides new and expecting parents with health guidance and referrals to make sure they receive the proper care and services they need before the baby is born and after they arrive. Our goal is to make sure you and your baby are doing well throughout pregnancy and during the first few weeks and months at home.

We provide educational home or virtual visits on a variety of parent and baby care topics. These are available to ALL new and expecting parents in the county at no charge. During the visit, one of our staff will:

Answer any and all of your questions related to pregnancy, birth, or infant care
Review up-to-date information on your baby’s health and development
Provide information on a variety of baby topics such as:
- Infant feeding (both breastfeeding and bottle feeding)
- Safety (car seats, sleep, lead poisoning prevention, etc.)
- Postpartum care
Provide you with a list of resources in your area for children and families

Our program is provided at no cost to the family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Maternal and Child Health Program?

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program in Schuyler County offers educational home or virtual visits to all new and expecting parents in the county at no charge. During these visits, the family is provided with up-to-date information on baby care, answers to questions, and offered resources on topics such as infant feeding, safety, prenatal & postpartum care for parents, and more. These visits are a great time to get to talk in a comfortable environment about what to expect and have any questions answered.

How is eligibility for the program determined?

The program is available to any and all new and expecting parents residing in Schuyler County. There are no specific eligibility criteria. Any new or expecting parent in the county can participate, whether it's your first baby or not.

What services does the Maternal and Child Health Program provide for expecting parents?

Parents who participate in the program may receive information on:

Prenatal education and counseling
Preparation for childbirth
Nutrition education
High-risk pregnancy support
Lactation counseling and breastfeeding support

What if I don't have insurance?

The Maternal and Child Health Program is offered at no cost to families, regardless of insurance status. Lack of insurance will not affect your ability to participate.

What should I do if I'm experiencing postpartum depression?

If you're experiencing postpartum depression, it’s crucial to seek help. You can reach out to your healthcare provider for help connecting to support services. Our staff provide postpartum education and can also help connect you with local mental health services.

Can I get help with breastfeeding?

Yes, the program offers lactation counseling, breastfeeding support, and other information about infant feeding options. Public Health staff can provide expert advice, answer questions, and help address any challenges you may encounter.

Can fathers or partners participate in the program?

Yes! The program encourages fathers and partners to participate in the visits and benefit from the information and resources provided.

Looking for resources or to learn more about the program?

Call our office at 607-535-8140.

You can also check out the following resources:

Childbirth Classes
- Cayuga Medical Center's Classes for Parents and Families
- Arnot Health's Childbirth Classes
Car Seat Safety Information
- The Ultimate Car Seat Guide
- NHTSA's Car Seat and Booster Seat Safety Information
- NYS's Child Passenger Safety Information
- Child Passenger Safety | NYSDOH
- Child Passenger Safety | CDC
- Call the Schuyler County Sheriff's Office to get connected with a car seat technician: 607-535-8222
- Find Car Seat Check Events or Techs
Infant Feeding Information
Other information and resources for parents
- WIC Program - Women, Infants, Children - New York State Department of Health
  - The WIC program provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding/chestfeeding support, and referrals to other helpful services - to eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum individuals, infants, and children up to age five.
- Pregnancy | NYSDOH
  - This website has health information for pregnant people, including tips by trimester.
- Comprehensive Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care Services Program | NYSDOH
  - This website includes information about family planning, contraceptive options, how to find family planning clinics, and more.
- The AAP Parenting Website
  - This website provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics includes information on a variety of health topics for infants, toddlers, children, and teens.
- 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. The Healthy Families program for Schuyler/Tompkins counties is provided through Catholic Charities of Steuben/Livingston. Call 607-968-0682 for more information.
- The Family Play and Resource Center | Schuyler County, NY - Official Website
  - The Family Play and Resource Center (FPRC) is a unique stop-in setting for parents, children, caregivers and educators to come together and meet in a warm and supportive environment. The FPRC promotes positive interaction and developmentally appropriate activities for all children with an emphasis on activities for pre-school children aged 2 to 5.
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for Schuyler County
  - Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides children with a book by mail each month from registration until just before their 5th birthday at no cost to the family. The program’s goals are to encourage early literacy, build language skills and excite children about reading.