Mission
Indianapolis Healthy Start (IHS) offers education, referral, and support services to pregnant women, fathers, and children. The goal of this program is to eliminate disparities in birth outcomes and infant survival in Marion County.
IHS offers three main services:
•Case Management
•Health Education
•Outreach
A few things that will help keep you and your baby safe and healthy:
•Safe Sleep ABC’s: Alone, Back, Crib
•Breast is Best
•You’re Not Alone, Help is Available
•Plan for Pregnancy
The Holistic Fatherhood Initiative
Holistic fatherhood is a way to approach parenting that involves assessing how all our choices are interconnected.
Fatherhood is life changing. Beyond the obvious, many fathers start to pay attention to the responsibility of being a provider for their child after childbirth. Studies have reported that fathers who are involved in their children’s lives contribute to their health, intellectual, empathetic, and emotional security (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2011). Fatherhood is also a catalyst for better understanding human communication, relationships, balance in life, and managing stress.
Fatherhood is a holistic journey that forces fathers to re-examine life and discover new possibilities
Holistic fatherhood is a philosophy that embraces the journey of rejuvenation and re-education.
A holistic approach to fatherhood begins with an awareness of how choices and actions are interconnected and how they impact our health, wellbeing, and environment. However, being a holistic father is not a race or contest. It is not about “perfection” or abandoning our previous traditions. It is an effort to become informed and make decisions that will be in the best interest of the father and his child(ren).
The Holistic Fatherhood Initiative Pledge
Holistic Fathers:
- Make informed and educated parenting decisions. Fathers needs to be aware of alternative and holistic options that may be different from what they know to be true. An awareness option will assist in making informed choices that best suit their child(ren). We encourage fathers to keep an open mind, research, and engage in discussions related to childbirth, breastfeeding, wellness, circumcision, nutrition, interpersonal communication, discipline, and education.
- Seek respectful and nurturing relationships with others. Holistic fathers are encouraged to incorporate attachment parenting techniques. As a result, the father should be committed to imparting empathy, love, and compassion to their child(ren).
- Balance and integrate physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects into everyday life. Create a balanced life for the entire family using the principles of wholeness: healthy eating, regular exercise, healing, stress reduction, and nonviolent communication.
- Teach children to respect and care about the natural world. Fathers should actively provide opportunities for their child(ren) to be in nature and teach them about how they can protect the environment.
- Limit our children’s exposure to advertising, marketing, and consumer-driven culture. Avoid activities that promote rampant materialism and disconnect children from nature and healthy social interactions.
The Holistic Fatherhood Initiative Services
Case Management
•Provide one-on-one support for father who are expecting a new birth until the child is two years old
•Engage in in-home services when needed
•Provide information and referrals for community and medical resources
•Assist with dealing with stress
Health Education
•Provide information to improve the health of families before, during, and after pregnancy
•Conduct infant safety and parenting classes
•Encourage participants to engage in classes which are free and open to the public
Outreach
•Increase community awareness about problems and solutions regarding infant health
•Encourage pregnant women and fathers to get care as soon as they know there is a pregnancy
•Inform families about volunteer opportunities to assist in saving the lives of Marion County infants
Fatherhood Development
•Create a support group for your fathers
•Promote a positive identity for participation as men and fathers
•Enable young fathers to see the importance of accepting responsibility for their children
•Increase fathers’ parenting skills
•Enhance fathers’ ability to become self-sufficient and begin to take control of their lives.
Service Locations
We serve the following zip codes:
46201 • 46202 • 46205 • 46218 • 46219 • 46222 • 46224 • 46229 • 46241 • 46254 • 46260
Indianapolis Healthy Start Office
Case Management & Health Education Services
4087 N Millersville Rd
317-221-2317
Minority Health Coalition of Marion County
Health Education Services
3737 N Meridian St #300
317-926-1170