Providers

Pregnancy and Parenting Support

Pregnancy and Parenting Support Program Flyer

To make a referral to Community and Nursing Services Division (CNSD) for Pregnancy and Parenting Support:

Public health staff provide free of charge, individualized support to pregnant and/or parenting clients and can help with the following:

  • Pregnancy and health concerns
  • Health education
  • Monitoring growth and development
  • Connecting your clients with services and resources
  • Support with health, emotional, alcohol or substance use concerns

Programs include:

  • Adolescent Family Life Program (AFLP)
  • Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP)
  • Perinatal Assessment and Coordination Team (PACT) and Medically High Risk Newborns (MHRN)

Eligibility criteria may apply

Perinatal and Infant Mental Health and Substance Use Provider Toolkit

While welcoming a new child into the world is often one of the most joyous experiences for new parents, we recognize the tremendous stress that can accompany this significant change in their lives during the perinatal period. Without access to support, increasing stressors will affect relationships as well as the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of all members of the family.

The Orange County Perinatal and Infant Mental Health and Substance Use Provider Toolkit was created specifically for Orange County providers.  It contains tools and resources to help providers advance the well-being of families by:

  • Raising awareness about perinatal-infant mental health and substance use
  • Screening and connecting clients to care as early as possible
  • Promoting parent and infant well-being.

The Perinatal and Infant Mental Health and Substance Use Provider Toolkit is divided into sections (click on link below to skip to that section, or go to the toolkit webpage to review all sections):

The OC Perinatal Mental Health Screening and Care Pathway is also available to assist providers in screening for mental health conditions and referring patients to local resources.

The OC Perinatal Substance Use Screening and Care Pathway is available to assist providers in screening for substance use disorders and referring patients to local resources.

Family Wellness Plans (also known as Plans of Safe Care)

Family Wellness Plans (FWPs) should be developed for families with infants who may have been substance exposed during pregnancy.  Ideally the FWP should be developed during pregnancy, as FWPs promote supportive, potentially protective linkages to community resources and services for infants affected by prenatal substance exposure and their families.1

Any provider involved in the care of a pregnant person or infant affected by substance use can initiate the development of the FWP.  These providers include:

  • Obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN) and primary care doctors
  • Substance use disorder treatment providers or recovery coaches
  • Mental health providers
  • Pediatricians
  • Staff from home visiting programs
  • Hospital social workers/case managers
  • Faith leaders or counselors

More information on Family Wellness Plans and a template

*Note:  Federal law requires that infants born affected by substance misuse, withdrawal, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) receive a Plan of Safe Care (called Family Wellness Plan in Orange County) that supports their families as well.

1Deutsch SA, Donahue J, Parker T, et al.  “Impact of Plans of Safe Care on Prenatally Exposed Infants.” The Journal of Pediatrics,  vol. 241, February 2022, pp. 54-61.37, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.10.032.

Family Wellness Plan Resources for Providers

Orange County Provider Breastfeeding Resources Directory 

This resource directory is designed to help support providers in strengthening breastfeeding care and support for their clients. It includes a range of resources to help you navigate common challenges and provide timely, informed guidance.

To explore the full range of resources available to help you support your clients, visit: Orange County Provider Breastfeeding Resources