Home visits from Public Health nurses and Dakota Healthy Families staff support families during pregnancy and after delivery to assure healthy pregnancies and positive child growth and development, leading to children who arrive at kindergarten eager and ready to learn. A home visitor helps you know if your child is playing, talking and growing like other children the same age and provides answers to your questions about your baby's development.
Public Health Nurse Home Visiting
Public Health nurse visits are an opportunity to learn more about healthy pregnancy, fetal development, breastfeeding, how to prepare for labor and delivery, and what to expect in the hospital.
After your baby is born, your nurse can visit to check in on your post-partum recovery, and answer questions you may have about being a new parent. The nurse will weigh and measure your baby, talk about newborn care, breastfeeding/nutrition, car seat safety, immunizations, infant brain development and many other parenting topics.
The nurse can make visits to your home, school or another convenient site.
Dakota Healthy Families
Dakota Healthy Families (DHF) is a voluntary home visiting service for first-time parents. It helps you get the support you need during pregnancy and through your child's toddler years. Dakota Healthy Families and Dakota County Public Health are partners in the Metro Alliance for Healthy Families (MAHF) that serves new parents throughout the Twin Cities.
To find out more about home visiting services, call Dakota County Public Health at 651-554-6115.
Refer yourself or a client
Individuals and professionals can refer someone to family health programs or you can refer yourself. Please fill out the Referral to Family Health Home Visiting Form, and if you have questions or need assistance, contact phintake@co.dakota.mn.us.
