Family Health and Supports

• MECSH (Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home Visiting is an evidenced based Home Visiting Program for expectant mothers and families with infants up to 8 weeks post discharge from hospital after birth. MECSH is tailored to provide Professional Nursing support and tools to aspire families to become their ideal selves. Home Visitors guide families through the transition of parenthood, with continuing supports, education, and intervention as needed until the child celebrates their second birthday.
  • Information for Parents: Parent Information
  • Information for Professionals: About MECSH

NorthlandPerinatalResources.org serves as a central resource for pregnant and postpartum individuals and families facing mental health and substance use challenges. Our goal is to empower individuals and provide them with the tools they need to take control of their health. We are developing a comprehensive database of local, state, and national mental health and substance use resources.

NorthlandPerinatalResources.org

Northstar Families is a home visiting program that is specifically tailored to pregnant individuals and families that are actively experiencing a substance use disorder (SUD) or have in the past. This program utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach by pairing a Public Health Nurse (PHN) and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) to support individuals and families in their parenting journey, while also receiving individualized SUD services in the home. Our program provides on-going assessments, interventions, education and referrals to support families.

Northstar Families is...

FREE
Services are provided at no cost to you. 

CLIENT CENTERED
We follow your lead, working alongside you toward the life you want for yourself and our family.

TRAUMA INFORMED / HEALING CENTERED
Whatever your history, we strive to help you feel supported, safe, and dignified.

STRENGTHS BASED
We get to know each client as a whole human being, honoring your strengths, abilities, and goals as essential assets on your path to recovery.

HARM REDUCTION
We prioritize decreasing the negative effects of substance use to help you be the healthiest parent you can be on your path to recovery. 

In partnership with you, we work toward these goals. 

• Share resources and education for the healthiest pregnancy and postpartum care possible. 
• Provide ongoing support from a Public Health Nurse and a Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LADC)
  in Collaboration with your support system. 
• Instill hope and vision while exploring possibilities that are unique to you. 
• Work with you to design the life you want for yourself and your family. 
• Help you live in recovery, without substances. 

Northstar Families Clients...

• Are pregnant/expecting parents or parents /caregivers of children ages 0-2. 
• Have concerns about substance use, currently use substances, or have a history of substance use.
• Are residents of St. Louis County. 

The Healing, Outreach, and Perinatal Encouragement (HOPE) Group offers a safe environment to navigate the roller coaster of emotions that many families experience during pregnancy and after birth. Hosted by our Public Health Nurses, HOPE is an opportunity for individuals to tell their story, hear others’ stories, and heal alongside fellow new parents, regardless of if someone has a formal medical diagnosis of postpartum depression or anxiety.

If you are pregnant or a mom feeling disconnected and disheartened by motherhood or struggling mentally, we're here. You do not need an official postpartum anxiety or depression diagnosis to join. 

Depression & Anxiety Symptoms start even before birth.
Keep an eye out for these symptoms:

• Sadness or feeling empty
• Worry or anxiety
• Tiredness or loss of energy
• Mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Thinking you're a horrible parent or that your baby would do better without you
• Losing interest in favorite pastimes
• Sleeping way more or way less
• Change in eating habits
• Hopelessness, helplessness, or guilt

A few ways to treat depression and anxiety are through individual or group therapy, medication, support from loved ones and support groups such as HOPE. Join us and lift off the weight. Together, we'll renew your mental health and support each other through this hard time. 

Heart to Heart is a home visiting program for pregnant individuals who are experiencing or have a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including hypertension, prenatal hypertension, preeclampsia and other health conditions that may affect your blood pressure during pregnancy and postpartum. This program seeks to meet risk factors and chronic stressors with care, resources and empowerment to support a healthy pregnancy.