Program

Queens
Healthy Start

Queens Healthy Start provides free family support through home-visiting and case management, educational group workshops, fatherhood support, and doula services.

Overview

Queens Healthy Start provides free family support through home-visiting and case management, educational group workshops, fatherhood support, and doula services. We provide education on pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, safe sleep practices, child development, and positive parenting skills. Our trained staff make referrals and connections to support services to help families access the resources and support they need to thrive.

PHS’ Queens Healthy Start program is a partnership with Rising Ground Healthy Families, Community Healthcare Network, and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. We offer an array of clinical, community, and home-based services tailored to the needs of pregnant and newly parenting families in South Queens. The goal of the program is to reduce infant mortality and maternal morbidity in communities most at risk.

Who We Serve

Queens Healthy Start (QHS) staff support pregnant or parenting families with a child under 18 months old in South Queens, including the neighborhoods of Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Jamaica, Queens Village, and Far Rockaway. QHS Doulas provide prenatal and postpartum home visits, and continuous support during labor and delivery.

Impact

Since 2015, Queens Healthy Start has supported ~400 families each year through home visiting, and hosted over a dozen educational group workshops and support groups. QHS participants have higher rates of breastfeeding initiation, healthcare access, and medical care compliance. Participants report receiving emotional and practical support during their parenting journey.

Queens Alliance for Thriving Families

Our community consortium, Queens Alliance for Thriving Families, strengthens and supports the mission of Queens Healthy Start by promoting and supporting community collaboration and collective action by bringing together local organizations, city agencies, healthcare providers, managed-care organizations, and community members across South Queens to coordinate services, uplift community voices, and increase awareness on the issues affecting our community. We offer community members resources and education, as well as opportunities for community empowerment and advocacy.