Wyoming Department of Health is excited to provide a NEW home visitation program to families in Wyoming! This new program is evidenced based and helps us support all families in Wyoming more effectively.
Wyoming Statute: Title 35, Chapter 27, Public Health Nurses Infant Home Visitation Services, provides financial and policy support for the expansion of the Department of Health’s effort to serve families through evidenced-based home visiting models. The legislation requires the Department of Health to provide contacts during pregnancy with eligible women, or where contact was not made prenatally, conduct a home visit following the birth of the baby. The Legislation also mandates that the Department of Health provide home visiting services to priority populations, including first-time mothers.
The Wyoming Hand in Hand Home Visitation Program is available to all women, during pregnancy and/or following the birth of the baby for assessment, information and referral to community agencies. The program offers one main program for all families, with some specialized options for specific needs and situations. This new program allows us to offer gifts to families throughout the program at developmental stages.
Wyoming Hand in Hand Program
Wyoming Hand in Hand (WHH), is an evidence based nurse-led structured program for families needing extra support in their parenting journey. Wyoming Hand in Hand utilizes Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-visiting (MECSH) which is designed by Professor Lynn Kemp. Each family served by Wyoming Hand in Hand is partnered with a trained registered nurse during pregnancy or after birth and receives ongoing nurse home visits that continue through the child’s second birthday. This program consists of at least 25 home visits, which include a variety of topics, resources, and incentive gifts based on the childs age. Wyoming Hand in Hand is currently offered in all 23 counties.
Wyoming Hand in Hand goals include:
- Improve birth outcomes
- Strengthen families
- Improve child health and development
- Promote family stability and economic self-sufficiency
- Improve family resources and community support
