Supporting First Time Parents Has Helped Me Raise My Son

The Supporting First Time Parents (SFTP) program began in 1989 and is designed to decrease child abuse and neglect by offering family support, parenting education and access to community resources. These services enable the family to reduce any stresses that may be standing in the way of devoting their energy to their new role as parents. We offer supportive services to all Milwaukee first-time parents delivering at St. Francis, St. Joseph's, St. Michael, and St. Mary's hospitals as well as St. Luke's and Sinai-Samaritan Medical Centers.

New parents are contacted in the hospital by our hospital-based workers who visit with each family and help them identify any supportive services they may need. If a family requests additional services, a social worker visits the family in their home for the length of time agreed upon by the family and home visitor. Home visiting services are provided by a consortium of agencies including Rosalie Manor, Family Service of Milwaukee, the Next Door Foundation, The Parenting Network, and the Sixteenth Street Community Health Center. Home visiting services are available in English, Spanish and Hmong. Each year, over 2,000 families receive home visits.

All first time parents receive a 60 page Resource Guide and a monthly age-paced newsletter in English or Spanish mailed to their home for a year.

Lila and Joshua are one family who receive home visiting services. Lila is a 23 year old single parent to two year old Joshua, and has been involved with SFTP since Joshua was two weeks old. Lila is a certified nurse's assistant in her second semester at MATC, and has plans to become a registered nurse. Lila participates in bi-weekly meetings with her case manager, Tifany, and has received support and assistance from our program. As Lila explained to Tifany, "The First Time Parent Program has helped me raise my son." Lila was able to learn about child development, age appropriate toys, safety, child nutrition, and how to bond with her son. "I have a folder of handouts I can always refer back to," which includes topics on toilet training, temper tantrums, crib safety, baby proofing, teething, game ideas, and how to talk to your child. Some of this information came from the newsletter that is sent to all first time parents for the first year. " I wish they made the newsletters for children over a year old. They were the best thing in the world."

Providing educational material is only one aspect of the SFTP program. We receive donations of new and used items that we are able to distribute to families who are in great economic need. Some common items we distribute are clothing and baby formula. "When Joshua was just a few weeks old, my worker brought over a layette filled with toys, books, blankets, bottles, and clothes, which was a great help since I am a single mom without any family in the area."

While all of these aspects are important to Lila, the best feature of the home visiting program is "it's free!" SFTP is offered to all first time parents in Milwaukee County but for low income families, the fact that in home services are free is even more of an advantage. "I can't afford to pay and it surprises me that people care enough to visit without a cost." Lila also remarked that the home visits alleviate stress because "mothers can save gas or bus money, and I don't have to travel with my son." Home visiting is beneficial because there is a "more comfortable atmosphere," which makes the families feel more relaxed, and willing to discuss their situation with their worker.

Lila also appreciates the "consistent care" she receives. Because the family sees the same worker for an extended period of time, more things can be taught, explained, and discussed.

Lila appreciates the fact that Tifany is there to help. "Whenever I had a question, you guys answered it or found out the answers. Tifany has helped just by being there to listen to my problems, which has relieved stress," Lila stated. "I'm a single parent and it's real difficult, I have to learn how to raise a child on my own." In some situations, case managers act as advocates for families when problem arise with W-2, medical assistance, or food stamps.

In addition to home visits, the SFTP program has bi-weekly group activities and an annual Christmas party with gifts for parents and children. Lila enjoys the group activities because they have "helped Joshua and I feel part of a family."

As we watch Joshua and other infants grow into smart and happy children, we know the Supporting First Time Parents program does make a difference.