Pregnancy Services

For confidential assistance with any of the following pregnancy or maternity issues, please call 1-800-592-4357

• Assistance with Pre-Natal Care (P-CAP, WIC)
• Options Counseling (Parenting, Kinsh ip, Adoption, Foster Care)
• Financial Aid and Referrals for Food, Clothing, Baby Equipment, Medical Coverage, Housing<
• Baby Clothing, Formula and Diapers
• Adoption Counseling
• Cribs for Life Program
• Supportive Counseling During Pregnancy and Post Delivery
• Parenting Groups
• Infant Care Education

Any woman regardless of age, race, religion, or economic background is eligible to take advantage of our services upon submission of verification of pregnancy from a hospital, clinic or physician.  Eligibility can begin at any time during the pregnancy.  We can also help secure a free pregnancy test.  U.S. Citizens and/or Resident Aliens should be prepared to present the relevant documentation:

• Public Assistance (TANF) and/or denial of assistance
• Unemployment eligibility and/or benefits
• Disability Insurance
• Recent Pay Stub from Employer

Undocumented clients can also apply for referrals for pre-natal care, clothing/crib/baby equipment and assistance with TANF for their newborn infants.

Cribs for Life

The Pregnancy and Parenting Program of our Maternity Services Department offers:

• Parenting options counseling
• Referrals to PCAP and WIC
• Monitoring and follow up for pre-natal visits
• Assistance with budgeting
• Parenting and infant care education
• Referrals to community programs for housing assistance, substance abuse treatment, immigration counseling
• Exploration of Family Court involvement for paternity and child support
• Review and assistance with applications for TANF and Medicaid for the infant
• Supportive counseling
• Limited help with infant clothing and baby supplies.

For clients who qualify, and who attend at least one parenting class, a crib, mattress and bumper guard are provided through our Cribs for Life program. This is offered on a one-time basis only. For any future pregnancies the client is welcomed to our counseling program; however, no additional crib will be provided. If necessary we will explore the possibility of replacing the mattress.

PROGRAMA CUNAS POR VIDA

Nuestro programa de Maternidad y planificación ofrece opciones y consejería, referidos para WIC y P-CAP Medicaid, continuación de visitas pre-natales, ayuda como manejar el dinero, educación para los padres, cuidado infantil, programa de asistencia para viviendas, tratamiento y consejería para abuso de sustancias(drogas, alcoholismo), referidos y consejería para inmigración, ayuda con la Corte de Familia para la pensión (dinero) de los niños, revisar y asistir con el formulario para TANF (Asistencia Temporaria para Familias Necesitadas) y Medicaid (segura medico del estado) para los niños, y le ayudamos con ropa limitada para el bebé.

Para las personas que califiquen y atiendan por lo menos una de las clases, el colchón para la cuna y el protector acolchonado que va alrededor de la cuna, es proveído por nuestro programa Cuna por Vida. Esto es ofrecido solamente una vez. En el futuro, las clientas que estén embarazadas por segundo vez serán bienvenidas para el programa de consejería, sin embargo, no se le proveerá otra cuna. Si es necesario podríamos considerar remplazar el colchón.

Counseling

Our Maternity Services staff provides supportive counseling to all teens and women facing an unintended pregnancy. Issues regarding relationships with the baby’s father, the parents of the pregnant client, friends and co-workers are discussed in order to help identify supports for the client and assist her in interacting with those people in her life who are an important part of her parenting plan. Additional counseling is provided to assist the client in identifying what type of parenting skills she needs to develop in order to offer her child the type of childhood she desires. The counseling services are enhanced by our parenting classes, community referrals and concrete support services.

Parent Education

Please call 1-800-592-4357 to learn more about our monthly parenting classes in English and Spanish:

• Infant Care (Bathing, Clothing, Changing Diapers)
• Child Safety (Back to Sleep, Car Seats, shaken Baby Syndrome, Child Proofing)
• Pro-Active Parenting (Pediatric Visits/Immunizations, Soothing Baby, Establishing Routines, Positive Discipline)
• Caring for Mom (Developing Resources, Support Networks, Balancing Work and Home, Relaxation Techniques)

Throughout the pregnancy, we give clients the support and the resources they need to ensure healthy patterns of behavior for themselves and their newborns.   We work closely with our extensive referral network, including hospitals, clinics and other health providers, to ensure that mothers and mothers-to-be receive appropriate prenatal care.  We provide clients with such essentials as safe new cribs, layettes, blankets, baby clothing, baby formula, baby diapers, maternity clothing, and emergency assistance with rent, food and medical bills.  In addition, we assist them with enrollment for PCAP, WIC and Medicaid benefits.  We establish play group support networks where mothers and their families can share information regarding pediatricians, immigration, and medical care, and learn from each other’s experiences.   We also provide access to after-pregnancy maternal care.   We ensure that clients have a stable living environment and attain increased knowledge and skills in newborn care and development.   We conduct outreach through community-level pantries, churches, and community centers.   We make our services known to clients by distributing brochures and newsletters throughout local churches, schools, community centers, hospitals and Catholic Charities facilities.   We also assist clients by providing access to free pre and post natal care counseling.   We also provide well baby care classes followed by training in good parenting and ensure that the training is administered in a way that is culturally sensitive.

Community Referrals

Referrals for housing are offered through our collaborations with the Pregnancy Services Network of New York and, for eligible clients, referrals to shelters under the auspices of the Department of Homeless Services. Additional referrals to food pantries, furniture and clothing sites, pre-natal clinics, health clinics, and PCAP and WIC sites are provided. Programs offering family day care providers are identified and assistance in applying for day care is offered. Clients seeking help with their immigration status are referred to the Catholic Charities Immigration Department. When on-going support is requested after the infant’s birth referrals to Catholic Charities Communities services are made.

Outreach

In order to develop client referrals and share our program with community providers the Maternity Services Department conducts on-going outreach to hospitals, health clinics, parishes, crisis pregnancy centers, high school and colleges, social service agencies, county departments of social service, attorneys and private physicians. In addition to telephone calls, letters, brochures and in-person visits and trainings we publish a quarterly newsletter, Maternity Matters, to keep service providers and referral sources updated on any new programs and services and personal stories of clients served.

Parenting Options

We counsel clients on the following parenting options: (1) Single Parenting, (2) Kinship, (3) Adoption, and (4) Preventive Services/Foster Care.

(1) Single Parenting:

Single parenting is not an easy choice but it might be yours.  Here are answers to some possible questions you might have.

Where can I live with my baby?
Look into your housing options before you deliver.  Some possibilities include living with a friend or relative, with your parents or the father's parents, in a group home for single mothers, in a public, subsidized housing or in one of our network maternity residences.  Look for a safe and affordable place to live.  Consider childcare options in each situation. If you are a student, ask if your school offers daycare. Some counselors can give advice about daycare centers.

Can anyone help me get items for my baby?
Many churches and community agencies are eager to help with baby items.  Your Catholic Guardian and Home Bureau pregnancy counselor or local crisis pregnancy center can connect you with parenting classes and other resources, including public assistance for medical and financial needs.

How do I get support from the father?
The father's legal responsibilities include providing financial support for your child.  Most states have a child support enforcement agency that will withhold money from his paycheck if he is unwilling to pay.  If the father is unable to provide child support, you need to plan how you will care for your baby without it.   A father's support record may influence court decisions about custody and visitation rights.

Can I get job training?
If you are receiving assistance, you may be eligible for programs which help with job training, tuition, and child care. Otherwise, you might rely on educational grants and loans while working to cover living expenses and child care.  Single parenting often means altering your goals and plans, but with determination and job training, you can achieve greater security for yourself and your baby.

Can I still choose adoption later if parenting doesn't work out?
If single parenting becomes too difficult and you decide to consider adoption, adoption is still an option.  It takes courage to realize that by yourself you cannot provide all that your child needs. But separating from a child with whom you have bonded can be difficult. A trusted and professional counselor can help you and your child through this process. Look for an agency that can help you make an adoption plan you can live with.

(2) Domestic Kinship Parenting

Kinship parenting enables relatives of a mother—whether the mother’s mother or sister or aunt—to assume the parenting of the child.

What are the benefits of domestic kinship parenting?
Kinship parenting keeps families together.  It gives the birthmother the option of continuing her schooling and/or career development while her child is parented by a relative.   It assures the birthmother that her child will be well cared for and loved.   It provides flexibility and peace of mind.  You may wish to ask if there is a family member related to the birthparents who might be suitable for kinship parenting.

What are some of the services we provide for domestic kinship parents?
We educate domestic kinship caregivers in the kinship care process.  We also:

• Educate caregivers in how to negotiate the network of kinship services available to kinship caregivers
• Equip caregivers with strategies to help them scale barriers to successful kinship care
• Provide follow up for family and individual kinship caregiver counseling
• Establish support groups for kinship caregivers and children
• Schedule and arrange for recreational activities for both kinship parents and children
• Promote sense of support, community and positive, ‘can do’ confidence

(3) Adoption

If you are not sure whether parenting your baby is the best decision, we can help you consider your options.  In thinking about placing your baby for adoption, you might wish to ask yourself some questions that will help you make your decision.

• How realistic is your parenting plan today?  How realistic will it be five years from now?  Ten years from now?
• How important are your parents’ thoughts and feelings?  What would happen if you were to go against them?
• How independent are you prepared to be?
• What is the difference between your dreams and your actual situation?
• Can you give your child all of the things that you want him or her to have?

These are tough questions.  But they can be answered by carefully considering all the reasons you think it might be best either to keep your baby or to place him or her for adoption.  If after considering these questions, adoption sounds like an option that might work for you, please go to the adoption section of this website.  Link to adoption

(4) The Cradle Care Option

If, after considering the parenting and the adoption options, you are still not ready to make a decision, you can take advantage of the Cradle Care Option at Catholic Guardian Society and Home Bureau.  We will take care of your baby for up to two weeks to allow you the time you need to make your decision with confidence.  A CGSHB social worker will work with you to put together a plan for your baby that is best for you and your baby.

(5) Preventive Services/Foster Care

We also counsel clients who may be considering foster care for their child.  In accordance with state and county guidelines, children may require placement in foster care.