Healthy Families Partnership

Pregnancy is an exciting time. Remember, every pregnancy journey is unique. Knowing that you are doing all you can to stay healthy during pregnancy and give your baby a healthy start in life will help you to have peace of mind.

Partners ready to support you:

• Douglas County Health Department Free Diapers program: Families in need of diapers can visit our Englewood office (11045 E. Lansing Circle, Suite 300) to get 25 diapers and one pack of wipes per child per month.
• Douglas County Health Department Resource Navigation Help: Connect with the Maternal and Child Health Coordinator to discuss various community resources that meet your needs. MCH Referral Form
• Douglas County Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a nutrition program that provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy food, and other services free of charge to Colorado families who qualify.
• YANA Let’s Be Real – Mama Journeys weekly podcast
• YANA Support Mom Outreach Mentoring program.
• YANA Strong Mamas, Thriving Babies wrap-around support

Perinatal and maternal mental health matters. Maternal mental health refers to a mother’s emotional, social, and mental well-being during pregnancy and throughout the first year after childbirth. It’s more than just “baby blues”—it’s about supporting the whole person during a critical life transition.

The Douglas County Health Department can connect you or your loved ones with support and mental health care during and after pregnancy. Reach out today because healthy moms mean healthy families.

Partners ready to support you:

• Black Mamas Circle: Virtual pregnancy and postpartum peer-to-peer support groups for all black mothers throughout the state of Colorado. Call 303-864-5252.
• Children’s Hospital Healthy Expectations Perinatal Mental Health Program: Get therapeutic and peer support groups focused on caregivers, babies, and relationships. New patients can call 303-724-1646. WarmLine: 303-864-5252. Email [email protected].
• MotherWise: Women and teens who are pregnant or recently postpartum can get healthy relationship education, case management, mental health services, PPD prevention groups, and parenting education. Call or text 720-504-4624 in English or Spanish. Email [email protected].
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: National phone and text hotline for expecting and new parents to connect with support and resources. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
• NICU Parent Support: Love for Lily and Newborn Hope
• Parents Thrive: Website for anyone who is pregnant or parenting in the Denver metro region, including people who might be navigating mental health concerns, or looking for information, peer stories, or local resources to support their wellbeing and reduce stress. Spanish website at https://ParentsThrive.org/espanol.
• Perinatal Loss Support: Angel Eyes and Denver Share
• Postpartum Support International (PSI) helpline: Call or text “HELP” to 1-800-944-4773 in English or Spanish.
• Tough as a Mother: Find providers and support during pregnancy or for parents with maternal substance use disorder. Email [email protected].
• University of Colorado Healthy Expectations Perinatal Intensive Outpatient Program: Access therapy, psychiatric services, group therapy, and peer support circles during preconception, pregnancy, and up to one year postpartum. Call 303-724-1646 or email [email protected].

Newborn and infant brains are like sponges – they absorb everything. Nurturing and responsive care for the child’s body and mind is the key to supporting healthy brain development. Learn more about the importance of early brain development and health.

Partners ready to support you:

• Advocates for Children CASA Connects helps reduce duplication and increase quality and effectiveness of services delivered to youth and families.
• Advocates for Children CASA Dependency & Neglect: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers provide the Court and other responsible persons with independent and objective information regarding the safety, permanency and wellbeing of the child.
• Developmental Pathways Children’s Extensive Supports (Medicaid Waiver) provides service and supports that will help children establish a long-term foundation for community inclusion.
• Developmental Pathways Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (Medicaid Waiver) provides services for children and youth who have an I/DD and very high needs.
• Developmental Pathways Children’s Home and Community Based Service (Medicaid Waiver) helps children under 18 with significant medical needs who are at risk for institutional care in an acute hospital or skilled nursing facility.
• Developmental Pathways Children Life Limiting Illness (Medicaid Waiver) helps children with a life-limiting illness.
• Developmental Pathways Early Intervention Program for children up to age 3 with a delay in development and/or qualifying diagnosis.
• Developmental Pathways Family Support Services Program, a state-funded program that provides individualized support to families who are caring for a family member with disabilities, living in the home.
• Developmental Pathways Hospital Back Up supports qualified skilled nursing facilities in providing hospital-level care to clients who are ventilator-dependent, have complex wounds or have medically complex needs.
• Developmental Pathways Long Term Home Health provides services from a licensed and certified Home Health Agency for members who need intermittent Home Health Services.
• Developmental Pathways Nursing Facilities are institutions certified by a state to offer 24-hour medical and skilled nursing care, rehabilitation or health-related services.
• Douglas County Health Department Free Diapers program: Families in need of diapers can visit our Lone Tree or Castle Rock office to get 50 diapers and one pack of wipes per child per month.
• Douglas County Health Department Resource Navigation Help: Connect with the Maternal and Child Health Coordinator to discuss various community resources that meet your needs. MCH Referral Form
• Douglas County Libraries has informational resources for all stages of parenting.
  • Sign up your child under age 5 to receive a free book in the mail once per month until they turn 5 through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
• Douglas County Libraries story time is your child’s first classroom. Six locations offer story time Monday through Saturday.
• Douglas County Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a nutrition program that provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy food, and other services free of charge to Colorado families who qualify.
• Manna Resource Center exists to break through barriers to self-sufficiency and mental wellness through holistic programs, communication connection and collaborative support.
• YANA Let’s Be Real – Mama Journeys weekly podcast.
• YANA Support Mom Outreach Mentoring program.
• YANA Strong Mamas, Thriving Babies wrap-around support

1. Why are toddlers so challenging sometimes? Let’s talk about the power of repetition, redirection, and recognition.
   1. Repetition: Children are constantly surrounded by new stimuli, so repetition offers them familiarity and predictability that allows them to feel more comfortable to experiment, engage, and interact.
   2. Redirection: a proactive method for dealing with challenging behaviors.
   3. Recognition: or verbal praise. The little act of telling your child when she’s done a great job can have a big effect. Keep it simple and sweet, and be sure to praise your child’s specific action. Think: “Great job putting your cars away!” or “I love when you use your listening ears!”

Partners ready to support you:

• Advocates for Children CASA Connects helps reduce duplication and increase quality and effectiveness of services delivered to youth and families.
• Advocates for Children CASA Dependency & Neglect: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers provide the Court and other responsible persons with independent and objective information regarding the safety, permanency and wellbeing of the child.
• Developmental Pathways Children’s Extensive Supports (Medicaid Waiver) provides service and supports that will help children establish a long-term foundation for community inclusion.
• Developmental Pathways Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (Medicaid Waiver) provides services for children and youth who have an I/DD and very high needs.
• Developmental Pathways Children’s Home and Community Based Service (Medicaid Waiver) helps children under 18 with significant medical needs who are at risk for institutional care in an acute hospital or skilled nursing facility.
• Developmental Pathways Children Life Limiting Illness (Medicaid Waiver) helps children with a life-limiting illness.
• Developmental Pathways Community Outreach Waitlist Service Program for individuals with developmental disabilities/delays and their families who are waiting for services or whose needs aren’t fully met by state or federally funded sources.
• Developmental Pathways Early Intervention Program for children up to age 3 with a delay in development and/or qualifying diagnosis.
• Developmental Pathways Family Support Services Program, a state-funded program that provides individualized support to families who are caring for a family member with disabilities, living in the home.
• Developmental Pathways Hospital Back Up supports qualified skilled nursing facilities in providing hospital-level care to clients who are ventilator-dependent, have complex wounds or have medically complex needs.
• Developmental Pathways Long Term Home Health provides services from a licensed and certified Home Health Agency for members who need intermittent Home Health Services.
• Developmental Pathways Nursing Facilities are institutions certified by a state to offer 24-hour medical and skilled nursing care, rehabilitation or health-related services.
• Douglas County Early Childhood Council Parent Support helps parents and child care providers learn about programs and services for young children, birth to age 5.
• Douglas County Early Childhood Council Universal Preschool program is a state-funded program that provides at least 10 hours per week of paid preschool for children the year before they are eligible for kindergarten.
• Douglas County Health Department Free Diapers program: Families in need of diapers can visit our Lone Tree or Castle Rock office to get 50 diapers and one pack of wipes per child per month.
• Douglas County Health Department Resource Navigation Help: Connect with the Maternal and Child Health Coordinator to discuss various community resources that meet your needs. MCH Referral Form
• Douglas County Libraries has informational resources for all stages of parenting.
  • Sign up your child under age 5 to receive a free book in the mail once per month until they turn 5 through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
• Douglas County Libraries story time is your child’s first classroom. Six locations offer story time Monday through Saturday.
• Douglas County Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a nutrition program that provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy food, and other services free of charge to Colorado families who qualify.
• Manna Resource Center exists to break through barriers to self-sufficiency and mental wellness through holistic programs, communication connection and collaborative support.
• YANA Let’s Be Real – Mama Journeys weekly podcast

Middle childhood brings many changes in a child’s life. By this time, children can dress themselves, catch a ball more easily using only their hands, and tie their shoes. Having independence from family becomes more important now.  Here is some information on how children develop during middle childhood:

• 6-8 years
• 9-11 years

Partners ready to support you:

• Advocates for Children CASA Connects helps reduce duplication and increase quality and effectiveness of services delivered to youth and families.
• Advocates for Children CASA Dependency & Neglect: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers provide the Court and other responsible persons with independent and objective information regarding the safety, permanency and wellbeing of the child.
• Advocates for Children CASA Truancy Program: Volunteers work to understand barriers keeping children out of school and work closely with the school district and professionals to mitigate concerns before they rise to the level of a Dependency and Neglect case.
• Developmental Pathways Children’s Extensive Supports (Medicaid Waiver) provides services and supports that will help children establish a long-term foundation for community inclusion.
• Developmental Pathways Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (Medicaid Waiver) provides services for children and youth who have an I/DD and very high needs.
• Developmental Pathways Children’s Home and Community Based Service (Medicaid Waiver) helps children under 18 with significant medical needs who are at risk for institutional care in an acute hospital or skilled nursing facility.
• Developmental Pathways Children Life Limiting Illness (Medicaid Waiver) helps children with a life-limiting illness.
• Developmental Pathways Community Outreach Waitlist Service Program for individuals with developmental disabilities/delays and their families who are waiting for services or whose needs aren’t fully met by state or federally funded sources.
• Developmental Pathways Family Support Services Program, a state-funded program that provides individualized support to families who are caring for a family member with disabilities living in the home.
• Developmental Pathways Hospital Back Up supports qualified skilled nursing facilities in providing hospital-level care to clients who are ventilator-dependent, have complex wounds or have medically complex needs.
• Developmental Pathways Long Term Home Health provides services from a licensed and certified Home Health Agency for members who need intermittent Home Health Services.
• Developmental Pathways Nursing Facilities are institutions certified by a state to offer 24-hour medical and skilled nursing care, rehabilitation or health-related services.
• Douglas County Community Response Teams (CRT) pairs a law enforcement officer with a mental health professional to help adults and youth experiencing a mental health crisis avoid the emergency room or jail and, instead, find the support they need to heal.
• Douglas County Health Department Resource Navigation Help: Connect with the Maternal and Child Health Coordinator to discuss various community resources that meet your needs. MCH Referral Form
• Douglas County Libraries is offers resources and programs to support your child’s reading journey.
• Manna Resource Center exists to break through barriers to self-sufficiency and mental wellness through holistic programs, communication connection and collaborative support.
• YANA Let’s Be Real – Mama Journeys weekly podcast
• The Youth Care Compact is an enhanced care coordination program that links existing case management and care coordination service providers. It is offered through Douglas County and a network of dedicated community partners.

This is a time of changes for how teenagers think, feel, and interact with others, and how their bodies grow.  You may also observe the invincibility fable in your teen; a type of thought pattern most noted in teenagers that is characterized by the belief they won’t get caught when doing wrong and they won’t be hurt by engaging in risky behaviors. You play an important role in keeping your child safe―no matter how old he or she is. Here are some tips on how to address safety and other topics with your teen.

Partners ready to support you:

• Advocates for Children CASA Connects helps reduce duplication and increase quality and effectiveness of services delivered to youth and families.
• Advocates for Children CASA Dependency & Neglect: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers provide the Court and other responsible persons with independent and objective information regarding the safety, permanency and wellbeing of the child.
• Advocates for Children CASA Foundations provides young adults (ages 18-24) with one-on-one mentoring support.
• Advocates for Children CASA Juvenile Delinquency: Volunteers help youth with open juvenile delinquency cases.
• Advocates for Children CASA Legacy Project helps persons between the ages of 13 and 23 with acquiring life skills, goal setting and resource navigation.
• Advocates for Children CASA Truancy Program: Volunteers work to understand barriers keeping children out of school and work closely with the school district and professionals to mitigate concerns before they rise to the level of a Dependency and Neglect case.
• Developmental Pathways Children’s Extensive Supports (Medicaid Waiver) provides services and supports that will help children establish a long-term foundation for community inclusion.
• Developmental Pathways Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (Medicaid Waiver) provides services for children and youth who have an I/DD and very high needs.
• Developmental Pathways Children’s Home and Community Based Service (Medicaid Waiver) helps children under 18 with significant medical needs who are at risk for institutional care in an acute hospital or skilled nursing facility.
• Developmental Pathways Children Life Limiting Illness (Medicaid Waiver) helps children with a life-limiting illness.
• Developmental Pathways Community Outreach Waitlist Service Program for individuals with developmental disabilities/delays and their families who are waiting for services or whose needs aren’t fully met by state or federally funded sources.
• Developmental Pathways Family Support Services Program, a state-funded program that provides individualized support to families who are caring for a family member with disabilities, living in the home.
• Developmental Pathways Hospital Back Up supports qualified skilled nursing facilities in providing hospital-level care to clients who are ventilator-dependent, have complex wounds or have medically complex needs.
• Developmental Pathways Long Term Home Health provides services from a licensed and certified Home Health Agency for members who need intermittent Home Health Services.
• Developmental Pathways Nursing Facilities are institutions certified by a state to offer 24-hour medical and skilled nursing care, rehabilitation or health-related services.
• Douglas County Community Response Teams (CRT) pairs a law enforcement officer with a mental health professional to help adults and youth experiencing a mental health crisis avoid the emergency room or jail and, instead, find the support they need to heal.
• Douglas County Health Department Resource Navigation Help: Connect with the Maternal and Child Health Coordinator to discuss various community resources that meet your needs. MCH Referral Form
• Douglas County Libraries has opportunities for teens to connect, research, find a place to study, work on group projects or volunteer.
• Manna Resource Center exists to break through barriers to self-sufficiency and mental wellness through holistic programs, communication connection and collaborative support.
• YANA Let’s Be Real – Mama Journeys weekly podcast
• The Youth Care Compact is an enhanced care coordination program that links existing case management and care coordination service providers. It is offered through Douglas County and a network of dedicated community partners.

Each child in your care is different and may need different approaches to parenting. Find some positive parenting tips for all ages.

Partners ready to support you:

• Douglas County Health Department Resource Navigation Help: Connect with the Maternal and Child Health Coordinator to discuss various community resources that meet your needs. MCH Referral Form
• Douglas County Libraries works to inspire a love of reading, discovery and connection. Learn about resource, staff and services available to assist you.
• Manna Resource Center exists to break through barriers to self-sufficiency and mental wellness through holistic programs, communication connection and collaborative support.
• YANA Support Mom Outreach Mentoring program.
• YANA Strong Mamas, Thriving Babies wrap-around support
• YANA Let’s Be Real – Mama Journeys weekly podcast