Health & Community Services launches new program, growing families

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

Growing Families San Juan Islands (“Growing Families”) is San Juan County Health & Community Services’ (HCS) local, public health home- and community-visiting service offered to growing families throughout our County. After much planning, the program officially launched this October! Through this program HCS hopes to continue to support our community by providing evidence-based public health services and promoting the health of mothers, children, and families throughout the County.

The home- and community-visiting services are available for all pregnant people and families with a newborn. This is a universally offered service, with no income restrictions or other requirements.

Home visits or community visits can be provided in the home, at a mutually agreed upon public location (e.g., the library), in HCS offices, or over the phone. Clients will be assigned to one of HCS’s amazing public health nurses and/or a community health worker. Along with the home- or community-visit, HCS staff can help clients access other needed programs and services available to them in our community.

Specific services offered through Growing Families include:

• Breastfeeding & Lactation Services: In-person and phone consultation and support for breastfeeding parents.
• Immunizations: Routine and preventive immunizations for children under 19 years and uninsured adults. Fees are based on a sliding fee scale.
• Reproductive Health: Pregnancy intention screening and counseling. Referrals to appropriate providers and services.
• Care Coordination & Referrals: Coordination of care for pregnant people, children, and families (including dental and behavioral health).

HCS is so excited to see the community impact of this new program! To learn more about the program or to submit a referral form, check out the Growing Families webpage.

About San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services

San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services is responsible for community and environmental health, mental health and substance abuse programs, senior services, affordable housing projects, and more. The department has staff and offices on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services, visit www.sanjuanco.com/1777/Health-Community-Services.