For pregnant women and families with young children
in Washtenaw County

MSU Extension paraprofessionals can meet with your patients and/or clients on a one-on-one basis and can offer the following educational curriculums in full or in part according to individual needs.  Nationally acclaimed, these educational interventions have been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes, and reduce infant mortality and morbidity.

Childhood Immunizations:
Education covers vaccine-preventable diseases, determining children's immunization status and referral to their provider.  Parental fears, concerns and barriers regarding immunizations are addressed.  Curriculum used is "ABC's of Immunization".

Breastfeeding:
Encouragement, support, problem solving and referral are provided through hospital, home and phone visits.  Peer educators provide quick response, especially during the first two weeks post-partum when breastfeeding is being established.

Food and Nutrition:
Knowledge and skills taught include:  good nutrition, menu planning, smart food shopping, food preparation/cooking and food safety.  Curriculum used is "Eating Right is Basic III".

Parenting:
Knowledge and skills are taught to help parents help their children reach their potential.  Topics include:  child development from birth to three, positive discipline strategies, positive parent-child interaction and goal setting.  Curriculum used is "Building Strong Families".

Convenient Participation:
Clients typically participate three to four months, receiving eight to ten educational sessions.  Based upon client needs and interest, an individualized education intervention consisting of immunization, breastfeeding, nutrition and/or parenting education will be developed.

The Peer Educator will set up appointments, usually on a weekly basis in the client's home.  More frequent interactions are common with immediate post partum breastfeeding women and may occur in the hospital or on the phone.

Peer Support:
The program's success rest in a service delivery model that uses paraprofessional staff hired by Michigan State University from the population served. Most have had similar life experiences at some point in their lives.  Because trust and rapport can be built with someone considered a peer, families will often more readily share and receive information than they might through other types of interventions.

Refer by:
Clients can be transferred by providers or can directly register for the program by calling 734/997-1678.