GREAT Start is an Illinois State Board of Education Prevention Initiative Home Visiting Program. We serve expecting parents and families with children under the age of three. GREAT Start focuses on the parent-children relationship, child development, and family support.
We support families in the form of personal home visits, parent/child interaction play groups, and connection to community resources. We also provide Developmental Screenings for all children enrolled in our program. GREAT Start staff are trained under the Baby Talk Model, which is an evidence-based curriculum supported by the Illinois State Board of Education.
GREAT Start also provides supplemental doula services to pregnant home visiting participants enrolled in the program. GREAT Start doula support services are available to enrolled pregnant families starting at 28 weeks of pregnancy. Doulas provide weekly home visiting support, education in childbirth and preparing for labor, and provide continuous labor support throughout labor and delivery. After birth, doulas continue to meet with participants until two months postpartum.
