In an effort to cast a wide net of trauma prevention, CALM has expanded its Great Beginnings Baby Program, a home visitation service designed to strengthen families during pregnancy and throughout the early months of a child’s life.
The Great Beginnings Baby Program, offered at no cost to families across Santa Barbara County, pairs caregivers with a trained home visitor who provides individualized parenting support and guidance during one of the most important periods of child and family development.
The six-month program, offered in English and Spanish, includes weekly visits in the first month and monthly visits thereafter, a pace CALM has found to be most effective for clients.
Eligibility requirements for the program have also expanded, CALM said. Previously offered only in Santa Maria to those with newborns to six-month-olds, the program is now available to more families throughout Santa Barbara County. Families can enroll during pregnancy or until the child is 12 months old.
“Our goal is to meet families where they are, offering the right level of support at the right time,” said Victoria Gonzalez, CALM’s senior manager of Prevention and Early Intervention.
“By providing nurturing, relationship-based care early on, we can strengthen families and build the foundation for lifelong health and resilience,” she said.
Through home visits, CALM’s professionals provide guidance and education to:
· Strengthen parent-child attachment
· Recognize and respond to infant cues
· Build healthy routines
· Encourage play-based learning and bonding
· Support child development and family wellness
· Connect caregivers to community resources
“Early relationships shape a child’s lifelong well-being, and CALM’s Great Beginnings Baby Program helps families build those foundations through trust, connection, and care,” CALM said. “By expanding access, CALM is ensuring that more caregivers can receive the support they need to nurture healthy, thriving children.”
Families interested in enrolling (no referral required) can learn more at www.calm4kids.org/get-help. Learn more about CALM at calm4kids.org.