Health information for Pregnant and Parenting Youth
finding prenatal care
When you find out you or your partner is pregnant you may have a variety of emotions. It is important to talk to a healthcare provider as soon as possible. If you are planning to carry out your pregnancy, prenatal care is a key component of a health pregnancy. Find a provider through your health insurance provider, SPIDER, or through WIC below.
pregnancy and the Women Infant and Children (WIC) Program
You may know of WIC as a food assistance program provided by the State of Illinois. Did you know that WIC also provides access to health care for pregnant women as well as vocational and parental training? WIC serves:
· Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby.
· Infants and Children under 5 years old (including foster children)
· Families with a low to medium income
For more information or to determine if you qualify, click this link: Illinois Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
All Kids Illinois
Are you a parent in need of insurance for your family? The state of Illinois’ All Kids healthcare program may be what you need. Not only does it cover health care, but dental and vision care as well! Pricing varies on how much your household earns. Interested? Check out the following link for more information.
All Kids- Family Health Insurance from the state of Illinois
Early Intervention Program
Concerned about your infant or toddler’s physical, language, or mental development? Illinois provides Early Intervention services to infants and toddlers that may be experiencing developmental delays free of charge to all Illinois residents. For more information, speak to your child’s pediatrician as well as the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) at 1-800-843-6154. You can also visit your local IDHS office. To find your nearest IDHS office click the following link and choose Early Intervention for office type:
childcare
Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies
Child care resource and referral services are available in all Illinois communities through local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Agencies. CCR&R agencies provide:
Education, information and resource materials about quality child care options;
Referrals to child care programs;
Quality Counts Online Child Care Search;
Help with paying for child care costs for families who qualify; and
Referrals to services for children with special needs.
For more information about finding quality child care, click here.
specific information for youth in care
If you are pregnant, your partner is pregnant and/or parenting and you are a youth in care, read the DCFS brochure Important Information for Pregnant or Parenting Teens in English or en español for helpful information.
The Teen Parent Service Network (TPSN) at UCAN provides TPSN case management, education and employment support, parenting and clinical support, comprehensive discharge planning, advocacy, health care, early learning, home visiting, day care coordination for their children and other specialty services. TPSN and its partners also provide Risk Reduction training across the state that focuses on safe sleep, how to select a good care provider, how to identify if a child has been mistreated, and about infant brain development.