Library: Policy

317:30-5-1160. Public health nursing services for first time mothers and their infants/children (Children's First program)

Issued 6-25-07

(a) The purpose of the Children's First program is to make home visits to low income, first time parents teaching them about pregnancy, nutrition, fetal development and how to care for themselves and their baby after delivery. A first time mother is:

(1) a woman who is expecting her first live birth, has never parented and plans on parenting this child;
(2) a woman who is expecting her first live birth, has never parented and is contemplating placing the child for adoption;
(3) a woman who has been pregnant, but has not delivered a child due to abortion or miscarriage;
(4) a woman who is expecting her first live birth, but has parented stepchildren or younger siblings;
(5) a woman who has delivered a child, but her parental rights were legally terminated within the first few months of that child's life; or
(6) a woman who has delivered a child, but the child died within the first few months of life.

(b) The pregnant woman must enter the program prior to the 28th week of gestation. Services may be provided until the infant's/child's second birthday.

(c) Reimbursement is limited to one nursing service per day provided during the pre and postnatal period of the first time mother and for the first two years of the infant's/child's life. Public health nurse clinic services are limited to five services per month per eligible member/child.