INFANT WELFARE SOCIETY OF CHICAGO 3600 W. Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647 773.782.2800 fax 773.782.5042 info@infantwelfare.org
a healthy child
We work with each prenatal patient to prepare her for parenthood, and follow up on a regular schedule after the birth. Last year, we enrolled 362 new families in Healthy Steps and provided a total of 1,988 well-child visits expanded to incorporate anticipatory guidance for parents and a schedule of developmental assessments.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT SERVICES
A UNIQUE MODEL FOR EARLY DEVELOPMENT
In 2008, IWS’s early child hood program was further enriched through a collaboration with the Chicago-based Erikson Institute, a graduate program for professionals working in the fields of child development and infant mental health.
Last year, we enrolled 362 new families in Healthy Steps and provided a total of 1,988 well-child visits expanded to incorporate anticipatory guidance for parents and a schedule of developmental assessments.
DID YOU KNOW?
MOTHER-INFANT THERAPY GROUPS
The development that takes place in the first years of a baby’s life is critical to his or her chances of growing into a happy, healthy and academically successful child. That’s why the Infant Welfare Society has entered into a formal partnership with Erikson Institute, a premier graduate school in the field of child development, to launch an exciting new initiative in the emerging field of infant mental health. MORE INFORMATION »
Based on a nationa
l best practices curriculum, Healthy Steps is an early childhood
development program for ages 0-3. Our staff has tailored the model to meet the unique
needs of our population. One particularly innovative enhancement is the addition
of a mental health therapist to the team to provide screening and treatment of concerns
including postpartum depression.
Healthy Steps specialists guide families through all of the physical, emotional, and intellectual milestones that children experience in the early years. Topics addressed include everything from breastfeeding through toilet training and age-appropriate toys to literacy. This education empowers parents with the tools to take responsibility for monitoring and nurturing their children’s development. medications.
Additional Healthy Steps services include parent discussion groups, a telephone information line, home visits for those families with special or multiple needs, and referrals to local community agencies to meet additional family needs.