Maternal Child Health
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Why Is This Important?
Improving the well-being of mothers, infants, and children is an important public health goal for Macomb County. Their well-being determines the health of the next generation and can help predict future public health challenges for families, communities, and the health care system.
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What We Do
The Maternal Child Health Nursing program is comprised of highly trained Public Health Nurses (PHNs) who have extensive education and experience in assessing infants, children and their families within the community setting. The Health Department provides public health nursing services to individuals and families throughout Macomb County. The Public Health Nursing program takes a holistic view of health and focuses on counseling and education, nutrition, parenting, prenatal care, infant and postpartum care.
Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Support to the family to have a positive pregnancy and a healthy baby
- Prenatal guidance
- Birthing information
- Home visits for pregnant women and families with young children
- Assistance with obtaining prenatal care
- Education on infant care
- Breastfeeding assistance
- Help with strengthening parenting skills
- Growth and developmental guidance
- Links to community resources
- Assistance in connecting to Early On services
- Safe Sleep instruction
- Lead education and monitoring
Who We Serve
All county residents are eligible and there is no cost for public health nursing services.
There are two locations for Public Health Nursing. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Please contact the office near you for more information:
Central Health Center
43525 Elizabeth Road, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
(586) 469-5520
Southwest Health Center
27690 Van Dyke Ave., Suite B, Warren, MI 48093
(586) 465-8090
How We Impact
Educate families on healthy pregnancy and proper infant growth and development. Provide referrals as needed to partners and community agencies.
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What We Do
Modeled after the national Community Action Team (CAT) that is tasked with addressing infant mortality in local communities, the Baby Resource Network of Macomb is a diverse team of community partners and health professionals who develop action plans for community outreach and support to enhance infant safety and health.
Who We Serve
To prevent infant deaths through collaboration with community partners by providing education and resources to support healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.
How We Impact
In 2017, this coalition has educated the community on infant safe sleep, car seat safety and many additional topics by hosting 13 infant safety events with a total of 454 participants. A leadership team from MCHD and the BRNM conducted a Maternal Child Health Needs Assessment using the MAPP process. A strategic plan to improve infant and mother health was developed and will be launched in stages beginning in 2018. In addition the BRNM distributed materials and resources through community events and coalition partners on infant safety.
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What We Do
Did you know that injuries from motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children? (CDC 2006) Most of the injuries could be prevented by using age and size appropriate car seats. Using age and size appropriate car seats can reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers (ages 1 to 4). When a child grows out of a traditional "harness" car seat, using a booster seat (approximate ages 4 to 7) can reduce the risk of injury by 59% compared to using a seatbelt alone (NHTSA 2006).
Unfortunately, 8 out of 10 car seats are used incorrectly. Some common mistakes associated with car seat use are:
- Not securing the car seat tightly to the vehicle (it should move less than one inch)
- Not securing the child in the car seat correctly (harnesses should be snug to the child)
- Not using a booster seat when a child out grows his/her car seat
The Macomb County Health Department offers free car seat inspections year-round. Inspections are done on an appointment basis only, Monday through Friday. There are four Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians on staff to answer your questions or inspect your car seats. To schedule an appointment or for more information on child passenger safety, please call (586) 412-3394 or email us now.
Who We Serve
There are no residency restrictions when requesting a car seat inspection from MCHD technicians.
How We Impact
We provide education on car seats and booster seats through car seat inspections and community presentations. Parents or caregivers are expected to actively participate in the car seat inspection process to learn how to best install their car seat and harness their child in the seat.
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What We Do
The Macomb County WIC offices provide optional, in-house blood lead screening to eligible WIC enrolled children. This screening is not a requirement for WIC program benefits and is offered by trained Community Health Technicians. There is no fee for this service. This is a screening test, and does not diagnosis a child with lead poisoning. Levels at or above 5mcg/dl are referred to public health nurse for follow up. Doctors can access test results through Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR).
Who We Serve
Lead testing is offered to eligible children in a WIC clinic, during a scheduled appointment, with one of our registered dietitians. Trained Community Health Technicians provide the Lead Screening.
How We Impact
This optional, free test offers families a chance to have their child screened for lead outside of an appointment with their personal doctor. Results are uploaded to MCIR for healthcare providers to review if desired.
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What We Do
Our clinic is breastfeeding friendly and our staff is specially trained to help you have a positive breastfeeding experience. We offer free breastfeeding classes, breast pumps (based on eligibility), one-on-one support before and after baby arrives, along with premium food packages for breastfeeding moms.
Who We Serve
Women enrolled in the WIC program and their champions (their primary support person).
How We Impact
We promote breastfeeding because it is the perfect food for your baby. Our clinics are breastfeeding friendly and staffed with trained breastfeeding counselors. Our food packages reward breastfeeding moms with premium food packages for themselves and their babies. Choosing how to feed your baby is one of the most important decisions you will make as a new parent. Breastfeeding is a gift only you can give your baby.
