First 5 Steps

First 5 Steps - The First Steps

First 5 Steps - The First Steps is an FREE in-home family support program serving expectant and new parents. Services start prenatally, and continue until the child’s third birthday.

The program aims to strengthen the parent-child relationship, improve healthy child development, reduce child abuse and neglect, increase utilization of prenatal care, reduce pre-term and low birth-weight babies, increase access to primary medical services, and increase immunization rates. Program participants include teens, military families, immigrant or refugee families, and low-income families.

First 5 Steps Parenting Services & Parenting Classes for New & Expecting Parents Include:

Here is what you will learn in our parenting classes for new and expecting parents: 

• Nurture healthy relationships between parents & children: Creating a strong bond with your child is one of the most important foundations for their growth and development. Our program helps you build that connection with personalized guidance on how to support your baby’s emotional and physical needs. Nurturing a healthy relationship ensures your child feels loved, secure, and supported, which is a vital part of growing up happy and healthy.
• Enhance parent knowledge about their child’s growth and development: As a new parent, there’s so much to learn about your child’s changing needs, from the first smile to the first steps. First 5 Steps provides easy-to-understand resources and guidance about your child’s development at every stage. Whether you're learning how to support your baby’s cognitive growth or understanding their social and emotional milestones, we ensure you're informed and empowered to make the best decisions for your child.
• Support positive parenting practices: Being a great parent takes time, patience, and the right support. First 5 Steps offers expert advice on positive parenting practices, helping you foster a loving, nurturing, and safe environment for your child. From handling sleep challenges to effective communication, we give you practical tools to manage everyday parenting hurdles and promote your child’s well-being.
• Provide community referrals: Sometimes, you need more than just advice—you need access to resources and services. First 5 Steps connects you to community referrals that provide essential support like prenatal care, medical services, and childcare assistance. We make sure you have everything you need to provide a safe, healthy, and happy home for your child, including local resources that support you, your baby, and your entire family.