Help Me Grow is Ohio’s evidenced-based parent support program that encourages early prenatal and well-baby care, as well as parenting education to promote the comprehensive health and development of children. The Help Me Grow System includes Central Intake, Help Me Grow Home Visiting and Help Me Grow Early Intervention.
Wyandot County Public Health offers both Home Visiting and Early Intervention services.
Help Me Grow Home Visiting is a voluntary family support program for pregnant women or new parents. Offered in every county of the state through a well-established network, Help Me Grow Home Visiting is an evidence-based program that promotes healthy growth and development for babies and young children. Our home visitors are well-trained professionals who use a non-judgmental and compassionate approach that empowers parents with skills, tools and confidence to nurture the healthy growth of their children.
Help Me Grow Home Visiting believes all young children deserve the same opportunities to realize their full potential in life, regardless of economic, geographic, and demographic considerations. The parenting education and child development resources provided to families allows them to maximize this critical period of development in their child’s life, providing a foundation for lasting success.
When a parent schedules a home visit with Help Me Grow Home Visiting, they will have the opportunity to share their thoughts about parenting, ask questions, and receive reliable information based on their individual family needs or topics of interest. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
Referral to Help Me Grow Home Visiting through Wyandot County Public Health is a quick and easy process. Parents may refer themselves. If you are not the child’s parent, you may still make a referral. Help Me Grow will first contact the child’s parent before proceeding.
To make a referral through Wyandot County Public Health, visit us at 127-A S. Sandusky Ave., Upper Sandusky, or give us a call at 419-294-3852. Our Help Me Grow Parent Educators can help you complete the referral form (Form 8045) in person or over the phone.
Early Intervention (EI) is a statewide system that provides coordinated early intervention services to eligible children under the age of three with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. EI is grounded in the philosophy that young children learn best from familiar people in familiar settings.
Every family served in EI will have a local EI team that consists of a service coordinator, service providers, and your family. Your team works with you in your home or other places you and your family spend time to develop a coordinated plan called an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). You and your team will work through your IFSP plan to use your existing supports and resources — and build upon them — to learn to enhance your child’s learning and development. More information can be found on the Ohio Early Intervention website.
Children under age three may be referred to the program by a healthcare professional or by their caregivers. After referral, the Wyandot County EI team will contact the family to see if EI services are right for the child. Healthcare professionals who would like to refer Wyandot County families to EI services may contact Wyandot County Early Intervention Service Coordinator April Gottfried by emailing agottfried@co.wyandot.oh.us or by calling 419-294-3852 ext. 231.
