Early Connections®
Early Connections evolved from the Visiting Moms program at Jewish Family & Children's Service to meet the needs of new mothers and babies for therapeutic services in the home setting.
For the mother, becoming a parent is a time of tremendous challenge and adjustment. For the baby, the early years are a critical period for developing a sense of trust and security. As the baby grows into a toddler, new challenges often present themselves.
Early Connections recognizes the importance of helping parents and babies as early as possible in finding their way to a healthy connection.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM EARLY CONNECTIONS?
All new mothers need support but some find themselves in need of extra help in feeling connected to their babies and feeling able to meet the responsibility for their baby's growth.
Many new mothers feel depressed, confused, or frightened in the experience of becoming a mother or relating to their baby. Some babies are difficult to soothe or have special emotional needs.
Whether originating in the parent or the child's special challenge, the result is a mother and child in need of help. The new mother may need a chance to explore the obstacles to her feeling more competent or self-accepting as a parent; or the mother and baby together may need support in feeling connected.
SERVICES
- Initial evaluation meeting
- Weekly home visits for up to 12 weeks
- Referrals for medication, group support, long-term psychotherapy, social service needs
- Postpartum Depression Support Group
STAFF
- Clinical professionals with specialized training in perinatal and / or infant / parent mental health
COST
- Affordable, sliding scale fees for clinical visits
Download article about Early Connections
Download article co-authored by the Early Connections Director
For more information, call 781-647-JFCS (5327) or email your questions via our contact us page.
