Early childhood intervention

During pregnancy or after the birth of a child, families are faced with a completely new situation that they must master. It is not uncommon for parents to feel exhausted or overwhelmed during this new phase of life. In addition to the newborn, one or more siblings may also need to be cared for, and normal daily life has to be managed alongside all of this.

Support during this time is provided by the networks and services of Early Childhood Intervention.

Early prevention and support services build upon the resources of families and communities, strengthen their potential for self-help, and also provide guidance and further assistance in difficult life situations.

Early support services always aim to improve and expand support for mothers and fathers. They enable early support for families at the beginning of parenthood before stress factors become entrenched, thereby having a preventive effect. Better care for families is also to be achieved through the networking of all stakeholders in the field of early support services. In Hesse, there is a coordination office for early support services across the board in all 33 districts, independent cities, and cities with special status. The Hessian network coordinators are the local contact persons and guides for families and professionals.

The establishment and expansion of Early Intervention networks in Hesse is a major focus of Hessian family policy. The goal is to guide and support parents, particularly during pregnancy and in the child's first 3 years of life. This also includes the deployment of family midwives and family health and pediatric nurses. These are state-certified midwives or health and pediatric nurses with additional qualifications. This qualification enables them to support and guide parents and families in stressful life situations. Family midwives support families for up to one year after the birth of the child, and family health and pediatric nurses for up to three years. These specialists assist with healthcare provision and provide psychosocial support.

Among other things, they provide information and guidance on childcare, nutrition, development, and how to support the child's growth. If necessary, further assistance is arranged. Health professionals thus serve as important guides for families through the numerous services available in the municipalities.

None