Parent Enrichment and Home Visitation Programs

We support the unique needs for parents of children birth to five years old.

Using the Parents as Teachers curriculum, we offer home visiting services, parent socialization groups, and access to community based resources. This program is designed to support the developmental and emotional needs of our tiniest clients 0 to 5 years who are at-risk for developmental, psychological, behavioral, or social challenges. Developmental screenings are completed for early detection and intervention so that children enter kindergarten ready to learn.

Our programs encourage caregivers to take an active role in their children’s lives. These services aim to strengthen the well-being of children through stable parent-child relationships and provide parents with additional support. We screen to help identify post-partum depression in new moms and link them to mental health services.

Our Impact

We support parents and the unique needs of infants and children through the age of 5 by strengthening the parent-child bond to reduce risk of abuse, neglect and prevent removal from the home by protective services.

246+

families served

539+

youth served

23%

increase in clients’ use of positive parenting techniques

31%

improvement in caregiver-child connection

Our Services

Parents receive visits once or twice a month to provide interactive, developmentally appropriate activities and information on child development. Parent Educators are Certified Lactation Educators and can provide breastfeeding support to new moms in the program. Parent Educators are also certified in Infant Massage and teach parent techniques to soothe their baby, promote bonding and positive communication.

The Whole Child receives program referrals from St. Francis Hospital, Lynwood and White Memorial Hospital, East Los Angeles.

Being a new parent can be isolating. Our parent socialization groups occur once a month and provide a relaxed opportunity to mingle with other parents. The group is designed to help to new parents build a support network and realize that they are not alone in the challenges that come along with having young children. Each family receives a new book to build their child's library at home.

Children from one month to 5 ½ years old are screened using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ3 and ASQ:SE2) to determine whether they are meeting their developmental milestones in areas of Problem-Solving Skills, Personal-Social Skills, Communication Skills, and Gross & Fine Motor Skills. If needed, assistance in obtaining additional assessments and services is provided. Screenings are provided FREE of charge to the community.

There is no one cause for development delays, however, risk factors include complications at birth such as a premature birth, low birth weight or not getting enough oxygen during the birth; environmental challenges such as lead poisoning, poor nutrition, fetal alcohol syndrome, exposure to drugs during pregnancy or trauma; and/or other medical conditions such as chronic ear infections, vision problems, illness, or injuries that impact a child’s day-to-day activity for a long period of time.

How are parents referred to our Home Visiting Program?₅

New parents can be referred to our program at designated Welcome Baby hospitals located in Best Start communities throughout Los Angeles County. Parents living in San Gabriel Valley or Southeast Los Angeles County who are pregnant or have children under 3 years old may also self-refer to this program. These parents could benefit from additional support in transitioning to their role as parents.

New parents, relatives recently gaining custody or foster parents may feel frustration around age appropriate behavior and development that can lead to the maltreatment of children if not addressed. The Department of Children and Family Services have confirmed children in California who have been victims of maltreatment in the areas of Emotional Abuse (12%), Medical Neglect (.5%), Neglect (86%) Physical Abuse (9%), Sexual Abuse (5%) or Other (.5%).

41% of children who are confirmed by child protective services as victims of maltreatment are under the age of 5-years-old.₂

Top High-Need Characteristics for Families Served

home visitation for new parents, parenting groups, and access to other community based resources

What issues are you looking for in a developmental screening?

Little ones can be on their own timeline when it comes to developing skills like taking their first step but when a child is behind one multiple milestones, early detection is important.

Developmental delays often are caused by short-lived issues where early intervention can help children catch up and avoid learning and attention issues done the line. Our goal is to ensure children are ready for school through early detection of any developmental delays. Early detection gives children an opportunity to overcome any barriers to learning before they get to school.

Communication Skills

Our ability to use and comprehend language. A baby will make different noises to communicate while a toddler can understand what is communicated and uses words in a way that others understand them.

Gross & Fine Motor Skills

Our ability to use our small and large muscles in the body to achieve a goal. A baby will use their hands to grab and hold toys while a toddler use them to hold utensils, play with blocks or draw to display fine motor skills. A baby will be able to sit up on their own, roll over or begin to walk while a toddler can jump, run or climb stairs to display gross motor skills.

Problem Solving Skills

Our ability to think, learn and solve problems. A baby explores the world around him/her with their eyes, ears, hands and mouth while a toddler is learning to county, identify colors and start to speak new words.

Personal-Social Skills

Our ability to relate to other people, including expressing and controlling emotions. A baby may smile at you or make different noises to get your attention while toddlers may ask for help, show and express feelings and make friends.

Our Stories Matter

I was referred to The Whole Child’s Home Visiting Program through a program in Santa Monica. Before entering the program, I didn’t feel I had patience with my children. I was having a hard time finding housing and I needed support as I was becoming a single mother again.

Home visitation services have provided me with different resources in the community, improved my parenting skills, and given me activities to bond with my child. I am learning about his milestones, development and [forming] connections with other single mommies and their babies. The staff at The Whole Child and my parent educator are warm and welcoming.

My child and I have learned new activities and skills from the program. I see a bright future with positivity for my children and me. The Whole Child has positively impacted my life. I was going through a lot in the beginning and it has helped me feel proud of being a single mom. The Whole Child has given me confidence in raising my new baby.

— Taylor, Parent Enrichment Client

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Client Eligibility

Clients for our Home Visitation program can be referred to us by giving birth at a designated Welcome Baby hospital located in a Best Start community or can self-refer if they live in San Gabriel Valley or Southeast Los Angeles County and are currently pregnant or have a child under 3 years old.

For questions about other Birth to Five Center services, please contact our professional intake specialists at (562) 692-0383.

Funding Partners

first 5 la

Los Angeles County Home Visiting Programs

Parenting is hard, and every parent deserves help. Having in-home support can make all the difference.

To find a program near you, please visit the Los Angeles County Home Visiting eDirectory page

Parent Enrichment

We support the unique needs for parents of children birth to five years old.

Our Impact

Our Services

How are parents referred to our Home Visiting Program?₅

Top High-Need Characteristics for Families Served