Support for Parenting and Pregnant Families in Hampton Roads
What is Home Visitation and why is it important?
All families, especially during challenging times, need emotional and social support, as well as advice on how to navigate parenthood. To support families through these challenges, over a dozen Hampton Roads organizations have invested in voluntary maternal and early childhood home visiting.
These programs are a lifeline for many children and families—especially during crisis—because they connect them to skilled professionals such as nurses, doulas, social workers, and mental health specialists. Home visitors develop trusting relationships with their clients, providing education and support services, including referrals to mental health services and nutrition assistance, before birth and throughout children’s earliest years.
Studies show that birth parents enrolled in home visiting programs have improved prenatal health and reduced rates of maternal depression. Home visiting participation is also linked to higher rates of employment, greater participation in education and job trainings, higher monthly incomes, and reductions in the use of welfare and cash assistance programs.
View and download the Hampton Roads Pathway Through Pregnancy Toolkit.
¿Qué son las visitas domiciliarias y por qué son importante?
Todas las familias, especialmente durante tiempos difíciles, necesitan apoyo emocional y social, así como consejos sobre cómo navegar ser madres y padres. Para ayudar a las familias a superar estos tiempos difíciles, más de una docena de organizaciones en Hampton Roads han invertido en visitas domiciliarias para familias y sus niños pequeños.
Estos programas y visitas son voluntarios y son un salvavidas para muchos niños y familias, especialmente durante crisis y tiempos difíciles. Estos programas conectan con profesionales calificados como enfermeras, doulas, trabajadores sociales y especialistas en salud mental. Los visitadores domiciliarios desarrollan relaciones de confianza con sus clientes, brindando educación y servicios de apoyo, e incluyen referencias a servicios de salud mental y asistencia nutricional, antes del nacimiento y durante los primeros años de los niños.
Los estudios muestran que las familias inscritas en programas de visitas domiciliarias han mejorado la salud prenatal y han reducido el riesgo de depresión materna. La participación en visitas domiciliarias también está vinculada con mejor empleo, mayor participación en educación, mejor capacitación laboral, ingresos mensuales más altos y reducciones en el uso de programas de asistencia social.
Por favor, presione el siguiente enlace para el Pathway through Pregnancy Toolkit en español.
Home Visiting in Hampton Roads (Click logo for more information)
Baby Care Chesapeake
Area Served: Chesapeake
Kim Bogan: kim.bogan@vdh.virginia.gov
757-382-8645
Ages Served: Prenatal to age 2
Primary Services: Nursing Care (RN), Parent Educaton
Baby Care Norfolk
Area Served: Norfolk
Noni Welch: noni.welch@vdh.virginia.gov
Ages Served: Prenatal to age 2
Primary Services: Nursing Care (RN), Parent Educaton
Baby Care Portsmouth
Area Served: Portsmouth
Joanna Liston: joanna.liston@vdh.virginia.gov
office: 757-393-8585 ext-8751 cell: 757-284-8450
Ages Served: Prenatal to age 2
Primary Services: Nursing Care (RN), Parent Educaton
Baby Care Virginia Beach
Area Served: Virginia Beach
Brandi Mezzapeso:
brandi.mezzapeso@vdh.virginia.gov
office: 757-518-2620 or cell: 757-518-2755
Ages Served: Prenatal to age 2
Primary Services: Nursing Care (RN), Parent Educaton
The Children's Center
(Infant Toddler Connection/ Early Head Start)
Areas Served: Franklin, IOW, South Hampton Co, Suffolk
Tracy Savage: vsavage@childrenscenterva.com
Office: (757) 809-5557 ext.2205
Population Served: Pregnant moms/infants and toddler- must meet annual federal poverty guidelines, receive TANF or SSI, or have a foster child
Primary Services: Parent Educaton, Identify special needs and services
CHIP of SHR (Children's Health Investment Program)
Areas Served: Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach,
Franklin, Isle of Wight, portions of Sussex, Surrey and Southampton counties
Wendy Simon: office- 757-543-9100
Ages Served: Prenatal to age 7
Primary Services: Nursing Care (RN), Parent Educaton, Bilingual
EVMS (Loving Steps/Healthy Start)
Areas served: Norfolk, Portsmouth
Cherell Rivers: riverscl@evms.edu mobile: 757-407-0897
Ages Served: First trimester to 18 months
Primary Services: Nursing Care (RN), Parent Educaton
Fleet and Family Support Center
(Military Personnel Only)
Areas Served: Hampton Roads
Malini Peck: malini.v.peck.naf@us.navy.mil
office: 757-445-1089
Ages Served: Prenatal to age 4
Primary Services: Parent Educaton
Healthy Families - The Up Center
Areas Served: Norfolk, Portsmouth
Leslie Meekins: leslie.meekins@theupcenter.org
office 757-397-2121 ext 6
Ages Served: Prenatal to age 4
Primary Services: Parent Educaton
Healthy Families - Virginia Beach
Areas Served: Virginia Beach
Shirl Catindig: Shirl.Catindig@vdh.virginia.gov
office 757-518-2620 cell 757-641-8806
Ages Served: Prenatal to age 5
Primary Services: Parent Educaton, Bilingual
NMCRS – NAVY MARINE CORP RELIEF SOCIETY- VISITING NURSE PROGRAM
Areas Served: Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach
Sandra Thompson (N, VB, H) Molly Curtis (P, C, S)
office: 757-322-1171
Ages Served: Parents and newborns
Primary Services: Nursing Care (RN), Parent Educaton
Nurse Family Partnership
Areas Served: Franklin, IOW, Southhampton Co, Suffolk
Meredith Taylor:
meredith.taylor@vdh.virginia.gov
office 757-514-473 cell 757-632-8661
Ages Served: Mothers pregnant with first child (must be 28 weeks pregnant or less)
Primary Services: Nursing Care (RN)
Parents As Teachers (PAT) - The Up Center
Areas Served: Norfolk, Portsmouth
Rosalind Hopkins: rosalind.hopkins@theupcenter.org
office 757-397-2121 - ext 3
Ages Served: Prenatal to age 5
Primary Services: Doula Support, Parent Educaton, Perinatal Mental Health Specialists
Urban Baby Beginnings
Areas Served: Chesapeake, IOW, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach
Stephanie Spencer: SSpencer@urbanbabybeginnings.org
office 833-782-2229
Ages Served: Early pregnancy up to 24 months
Primary Services: Doula Support, Care (RN), Parent Educaton, Perinatal Mental Health Specialists, Bilingual
INFANT & TODDLER CONNECTION OF VIRGINIA serves children with developmental delays or medical diagnoses that may lead to delays. To refer, call 1-800-234-1448.