🤰👶 Pregnancy, Expectant Parent & Early Childhood Resources

Whether you're expecting a baby, caring for a young child, or supporting a growing family, the following resources can help connect you with education, healthcare, parenting support, financial assistance, early childhood programs, and essential supplies throughout Northwest Indiana and beyond.

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➼ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 & 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀

📈 Development & Parenting

CDC – Learn the Signs. Act Early.
Includes free tools and resources for parents, caregivers, health care providers, early educators, and other early childhood professionals to help monitor a child’s early development and act on recommendations for early follow-up on developmental concerns:
• Developmental milestone checklists (2 months–5 years)
• Milestone Tracker app
• Resources for parents and educators
• Early intervention guidance
Click for Details

Lantern
Delivers free text messages with age-based parenting tips and local resources from pregnancy through the preteen years. Messages are personalized to your child's age (from pregnancy through the preteen years) and include localized information on community events and resources.
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🤱 Pregnancy & Infant Support

My Healthy Baby
Connects pregnant women with free local family support providers during pregnancy and through baby's first year.
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Milk Express by The Milk Bank
Provides Pasteurized Donor Human Milk (PDHM) for eligible infants with medical needs or breastfeeding support.
Click for Details

👶 Baby Supplies

The Cloth Option
Provides reusable cloth diapers and hygiene products for families in need.
Click for Details

📚 Early Literacy

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Free monthly books mailed to children from birth until they begin school.
Click for Details

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➼ 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀

👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting & Home Visiting Programs

Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana
Provides free family support programs including:
• Mothers & Babies emotional wellness
• ETAP (Empowering Teens & Parents)
• Infant Safe Sleep education
• Smoke Free Moms
• Mental health screenings
• Healthy Families home visits
• Parents as Teachers
Serving Lake, Porter, Newton, and Jasper Counties.
Click for Details

Family Focus
Supports Indiana families through expert-led education, crisis intervention, and compassionate support services through:
• Parenting education
• Family preservation
• Father engagement
• Crisis support
• In-home family services
Serving Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Jasper, Newton, Starke, and surrounding counties.
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Northshore Health Centers OB/GYN, Prenatal & Postpartum Care
Offers full obstetric services and have convenient locations and hours to serve our mothers-to-be. From pregnancy testing through prenatal care, to delivery and post-partum follow-up care, as well as gynecology services, our skilled providers are there to answer questions and provide professional treatment for our patients through:
• New Beginnings Pregnancy Handbook
• Pregnancy test verification
• Breast pump assistance
• Car seat education, inspection, and installation
• Non-stress test for high risk pregnant patients
• Pack-n-play assistance
• Perinatal loss program
• Safe Sleep program
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Northwest Health
Dedicated to providing expectant mothers and newborns with care through:
• Birth navigation
• Maternal fetal medicine
• Prenatal care
• Childbirth education
• Breastfeeding support
• High-risk pregnancy care
• NICU services
Click for Details

👩‍👧 Helpful Resources for Single Parents

Indiana 211
Contact 2-1-1 for referrals to:
• Housing assistance
• Food assistance
• Utility assistance
• Childcare
• Transportation
• Healthcare
• Parenting resources
• Financial assistance
Click for Details

WIC (Women, Infants & Children)
Improves access to nutritious foods and promotes healthier eating through:
• Nutrition and health screening and assessment
• Nutrition education and counseling
• Breastfeeding education and support
• Referrals to other Indiana health, family, and social services
• Supplemental healthy foods designed to meet special nutrition needs
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SNAP
Provides food assistance to low- and no-income individuals and families.
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TANF
Provides cash assistance and supportive services to assist families with children under age 18, helping them achieve economic self-sufficiency.
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On My Way Pre-K
Provides free, high-quality Pre-K to 4-year-old children from income-eligible families. It helps prepare children for kindergarten by supporting their early learning in approved public schools, private centers, ministries, and licensed homes.
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➼📍 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 & 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀

Geminus – Early Head Start
Serves income-eligible pregnant women and families with children from birth through age 5 by providing:
• Early education
• Health screenings
• Family support
• School readiness services
Available in Lake and Porter Counties.
Click for Details

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➼📍 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀

First Things First Porter County
Connects families with:
• Prenatal and postpartum support
• Early childhood resources
• Home visiting
• Developmental screenings
• Help Me Grow
• Seeds of Promise
• Talking Is Teaching
Click for Details

Help Me Grow Porter County
Provides:
• Developmental screenings
• Parent education
• Resource navigation
• Family support
Click for Details

Health 2 Home Porter County
Makes sure every baby gets a strong start, and every parent has the tools to succeed with:
• Childcare Assistance – access to high-quality, needs-based childcare
• In-Home Nurse Visits – prenatal care, postpartum support, and health screenings
• Parent Empowerment – bonding strategies, mental health resources, and self-care support
• Child Development Support – screenings, early learning activities, and school readiness guidance
• Economic Stability – financial education, job training, and co-enrollment in United Way's Level Up Program

Porter County Health Department
Promotes, protects, and provides for the public health of the people of our community where every resident has equitable access to the knowledge, resources, and services needed to live a healthy life through:
• Care Coordination
• Environmental Division
• PoCo Health First Indiana
• Public Health Nursing
• School Health Liaison Program
• Vital Records
• Community Partnerships
• Monthly Diapering Support
Click for Details

Family & Youth Services Bureau – Tot Shop
Families earn coupons through healthy activities (prenatal visits, well-child checkups, parenting classes, etc.) that can be redeemed for:
• Diapers
• Cribs
• Mattresses
• Strollers
• Highchairs
• Baby clothing
• Toys & and more
Click for Details

Birthright of Valparaiso
Provides confidential, nonjudgmental support for women who are pregnant or may be pregnant, regardless of age, marital status, religion, or financial situation. Provides information, referrals and free resources.
Click for Details

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➼📍 Additional Local Support

Many Northwest Indiana hospitals and nonprofits also offer:
• Breastfeeding support groups
• Car seat safety checks
• Safe sleep education
• New parent classes
• Baby supply referrals
• Home visiting programs