The UF Department of Obstetrics partnerships and community services programs provide a platform for our team of physicians, researchers, and staff to work with other medical professionals and institutions to advance patient care, research, and education. We provide community programs for pregnant and postpartum women, their children, and families through grants from several organizations.
If you would like to learn more about how to partner with the UF Department of Obstetrics, would like to participate in one of our community service programs, or would like to refer a patient, please contact us.
Maternity and Infant Care Project (MIC)
For more information, please call the following clinic locations and request your prenatal care with UF MIC:
- Bradford County – New River Community Health Care Center, Starke: 904-964-7732
- Gilchrist County – Palms Medical Group, Trenton: 352-463-2374
- Levy County – Palms Medical Group, Chiefland: 352-493-7274
- Suwanee County – Palms Medical Group, Branford: 386-935-3090
- Union County – New River Community Health Care Center, Lake Butler: 386-496-3154
Maternal, Infant & Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV)
NCF MIECHV/PAT Earns Blue Ribbon Endorsement
In 2021, NCF MIECHV/PAT completed the Parents as Teachers Quality Endorsement and Improvement Process and earned the highest designation: Blue Ribbon Affiliate status. Being named a Blue-Ribbon Affiliate affirms that NCF MIECHV/PAT is among the highest quality members of the home visitation and parent education field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity and quality. Learn more about our affiliate at www.HelpingBabiesGrow.org.
The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting/Parents as Teachers program continue to provide valuable support and encouragement to families in Bradford, Columbia, Hamilton and Putnam counties. Services are provided through in person home visits and can be virtual, if necessary.
MIECHV/PAT welcomes new enrollments for families with babies between the ages of 0 to 24 months in Bradford, Columbia, Hamilton and Putnam counties.
MIECHV/PAT is here to help parents and caregivers learn about their child’s development, receive answers to parenting questions, and get helpful connections to other resources. The MIECHV/PAT program is evidence-based and a source of reliable information and reassurance for parents.
The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program is a free parenting program that equips parents and caregivers with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to help their children be healthy, safe and ready to succeed in school. The program is available to parents and caregivers with children from birth to age 4 whose lives are impacted by one or more of these situations:
- Low-income
- Teen parent
- Low educational attainment
- Child abuse or neglect
- Tobacco use in the home
- Children with developmental delays, disabilities or chronic health issues
- Military family
- Court appointed legal guardian or foster care
Through MIECHV, which is a Healthy Start of North Central Florida program, parent educators at UF Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology help parents and caregivers:
- Learn about their child’s development
- Gain one-on-one parenting support
- Connect with other parents and resources
- Address developmental delays and/or health issues
- Access books and educational resources for their child
- Be the best parents they can be
The program is available in Bradford, Columbia, Hamilton, and Putnam.
To learn more:
Bradford, Columbia, Hamilton, and Putnam: 352-273-7588
How do you help your children develop, learn, and grow to realize their full potential?
Parents as Teachers
It’s free. Enroll today!
How does it work?
Parents as Teachers is a free parent education program. Families can participate by having home visits, video visits, or phone visits.
Personal visits
Since this is your child and your family, you set the agenda for each personal visit. Your parent educator is there to provide well-researched information to help you make good parenting decisions, and to provide concrete support for you in times of need.
Groups
Group connections also create a network for you and other parents to learn and support each other, and grow together as parents.
Screenings
Regular screenings during your visits will make sure your child is healthy, safe and devloping on track.
Resources
Need more help or a special resource? Your parent educator will make the introduction and connect you.
Being a parent is hard work.
Parents as Teachers helps you understand child development and connects you to the resources you need to make the best choices for your family.
Parents as Teachers offers free personal visits customized for the needs of your family.
“To still be able to talk and learn through video is great. It gives me peace to know we can still have the chats and learn about milestones and what my child is accomplishing for her age.” – Parents as Teachers parent, Texas
“The Zoom videoconference was great for my child. It allowed us to have a personal connection with our Parents as Teachers parent educator just the same as a home visit. This made the pandemic less stressful in the household, and it made my child feel like nothing has changed. My child enjoys seeing her PAT parent educator.” – Parents as Teachers parent, Missouri
What do I need for video call visits?
When receiving virtual visits, you will need to have a camera-enabled device, like a laptop or a smart phone, and good internet connection. You’ll also want a working email to be able to receive handouts electronically.
What do I need for phone call visits?
A working phone, cell service, and a data plan that allow ample time for the visits to occur is all you’ll need for telephone visits.
Parents as Teachers children are healthy, safe and ready to learn.
- They’re healthier.
- They score higher on kindergarten readiness tests.
- They’re better problem solvers.
- They’re more advanced in language and social development.
Parents as Teachers parents are more informed.
- Be more involved in your child’s education.
- Connect to your child through play and reading time.
- Be confident in your role as a parent.
“The program has allowed me and my son to continue visiting with our home visitor via FaceTime. This has allowed us to stay home and follow precautions.”
In the first few years children learn more – and at a faster pace – than at any other time in life! Be ready to parent! Parents as Teachers can help.
How to Enroll
Learn more about Parents as Teachers in your community.
Bradford, Columbia, Hamilton and Putnam Counties: Call: 352-294-5521
Maternal, Infant & Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV)
Support and encouragement go a long way.
- Learn how your child grows and develops.
- Receive answers to your parenting questions.
- Build a strong relationship with your child.
MIECHV offers:
Understand how your child grows and leanrs.
- Parent Educator home visits. We come to you!
- Child development information and activities your whole family can enjoy.
- Free child developmental screenings.
- Opportunities for you to connect with other families during our Group Connection meetings.
- Children’s books to grow your child’s vocabulary.
- Connections to helpful community resources.
What to expect at a home visit:
A Parent Educator will visit you at home to share parenting tips and activities that help baby learn and grow. They will also help you to identify goals and work with you to achieve them. Goals may include improving your home situation, finding a job or getting your GED. The Parent Educator is there for yoU!
You are your child’s first and most important teacher.
The more you know the braver you’ll be.
MIECHV supports parents and caregivers in their work to raise safe, healthy, happy, school-ready children. Enroll your baby in this FREE program between the ages of 0 to 12 months in Alachua and Marion counties, and 0 to 24 months in Bradford, Columbia, Hamilton and Putnam counties.
Call MIECHV in your county:
Alachua: 352-337-1200
Marion: 352-547-3730
Bradford: 352-273-7588
Columbia: 352-273-7588
Hamilton: 352-273-7588
Putnam: 352-273-7588
Visit www.HelpingBabiesGrow.org to watch a video about the program and select “Contact Us” to send us a message.
Healthy Families
Healthy Families is a nationally-accredited home visiting program for expectant parents and parents of newborns experiencing stressful life situations. The program improves childhood outcomes and increases family self-sufficiency by empowering parents through education and community support. Parents voluntarily participate in Healthy Families so they can learn how to recognize and respond to their babies’ changing developmental needs, use positive discipline techniques, cope with the day-to-day stress of parenting in healthy ways, and set and achieve short and long-term goals. Services begin early, during pregnancy or shortly after the birth of a baby, and can last up to five years, depending on the unique needs of the family. Families may be eligible for services if they:
- Live in targeted geographic areas
- Are expecting a baby or have a baby less than 3-months-old
- Are currently experiencing stressful life situations that indicate they could benefit from home visiting services
Healthy Families Florida Official Website
Healthy Families Project serves Alachua, Bradford, Union & Columbia Counties
352-294-5530