Welcoming a baby is a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with feelings of joy and happiness. However, many parents feel overwhelmed, alone, and helpless in the days after a child is born. Some look to the internet for help but have no idea what resources are available and which ones are credible. Others go without help, which can make it tough for them to enjoy their time with their child to the fullest extent.
Together for Kids Coalition (TFKC) is committed to building a community where every parent and child thrive. It consists of a collaborative network of over 200 members who promote the health, well-being, and success of young children and their families.
As part of its mission, TFKC provides the Welcome Baby Guide to Resources to support families during the critical early stages of parenthood. To date, the guide has created a buzz among families in Worcester, and there are many reasons why.
We spoke with Coalition Coordinator Dodi Swope about TFKC's Welcome Baby Guide to Resources and its impact on local families. Read on to learn about the guide, what it offers, and how to get a copy of it.
'Families Just Don't Know What Resources Are Available'
The Welcome Baby Guide to Resources creates a supportive network for new parents. It offers resources to help parents navigate the joys and challenges of their baby’s first year with confidence, including:
- Breastfeeding and nutritional support
- Postpartum care and provider referrals
- Support groups, playgroups, and parenting classes
- Food pantry and basic needs assistance
- Local family-friendly resources, such as libraries and museums
"We learned that families need support in a particular way but don't realize it until they get home from the hospital with their babies," Dodi says. "Families just don't know what resources are available, and this guide gives them touchpoints."
'We Vetted Sources and Made Sure That They're Reputable'
The guide provides parents with access to resources from local organizations, including:
- Worcester Public Library
- Worcester Family Partnership
- Family Resource Center
- Worcester Healthy Baby Collaborative
- Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition
"There's no vetting of information on Google for parents, so it's scary out there on the internet for them," Dodi notes. "We vetted sources and made sure that they're reputable."
The guide is a half-page folded over, making it easy for a parent to fit it in their pocket and carry it with them wherever they go. It's divided into sections based on the type of service, such as healthcare, childcare, family services, and education.
Each page includes icons for services, along with what a service includes and contact information for it. Parents can scan a QR code next to each service to access the website associated with it.
The guide also has a notes section, allowing parents to track their visits as they use resources.
Get Your Copy of the Welcome Baby Guide to Resources Today
The guide is available for free at various locations across Worcester, including:
- Family Health Center Baby Cafe at 26 Queen Street
- El Buen Samaritano at 39 Piedmont Street
- Worcester Public Library at 3 Salem Square
- Family Resource Center at 20 Cedar Street
- Pernet Family Health Service at 237 Millbury Street
Dodi says the guide is being reviewed and updated constantly to make sure it provides parents with access to the resources they need to succeed. "This is just the beginning for our guide, and we hope that it has a long life," Dodi points out.
Help Us Spread the Buzz About the Together for Kids Coalition
Pick up a copy of the Welcome Baby Guide to Resources to share it with a new family in Worcester. After you get your copy of the Welcome Baby Guide to Resources, scan the QR code on the back to provide feedback.
TFKC uses small-batch printing to produce its guide. As a sponsor, you can help TFKC print its guide and offer it to new families at multiple locations in Worcester. Fill out TFKC's online form to get started.
Edward Street is a proud partner of Together for Kids Coalition. We will continue to track the buzz about TFKC, Worcester Family Partnership, and other early childhood programs and initiatives in Massachusetts.
Read our blog and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn to stay updated.