Welcoming a child into the world is one of the most beautiful moments in a parents’ lifetime – but also one of the most stressful.  Every new parent at least once has felt the panic of needing help and not knowing who to ask for it.  That’s where EveryStep and the Iowa Family Support Network (IFSN).

“We are kind of that central point of contact for the families or healthcare providers and make sure everyone gets to the correct (place),” says Jennifer Cornell, Coordinated Intake & Referral Manager at EveryStep and the leader of IFSN.

IFSN is like a switchboard for both parents in need and healthcare providers and programs.  It all starts with a phone call – or sometime an email – from a parent in need of care or a referral for their child.  IFSN handles the intake of the new clients then connects them with any services they need.  

In a way, IFSN also serves as a navigator for parents – leading them through the often hard to traverse American healthcare system to find the answers they need.  “It would take a lot of searching, a lot of looking for a parent,” Jennifer says, “When you have a newborn baby, you don't have time to find all those programs or do that searching.  That's where we step up for them and help get them to the program they need.”

The Iowa Family Support Network is a statewide program.  Clients and providers from across the state are connected to one another.  “One of the main things we do is help to complete early access referrals for families,” says Jennifer, “When a baby gets discharged from the NICU, then they're going to want early access services.  We get that information and we'll make the referral.”  Those referrals are made to local Area Education Agencies which administer the Early Access programs.  

Jennifer says one consideration they make with all parents referred to Early Access is the opportunity for a home visit as opposed to an office.  “We also will help if they are looking for home visiting programs ... someone would come out in the home and help with parent education.” 

Jennifer knows from her personal experience with Early Access how important those home visits can be.  “There’s that peace of mind for families if you have the evaluation.”

Beyond just being a referral source, the Iowa Family Support Network is an online educational resource as well.  “On our website we have a child development tab where you can look at some of the things (a baby) should be doing.  As that first time parent, you don't know - you question everything,” Jennifer says, “Every child develops differently ... I always tell families that they'll go and do an evaluation. From the evaluation, you can decide what is next.”

Jennifer says she loves knowing that she is connecting families with vital services, but there is one thing about IFSN that she doesn’t relish.  “The unfortunate part for Iowa Family Support Network is it's a one-and-done phone call.  We don't always, unfortunately, get that follow-up from them,” she says.

You can learn more about the Iowa Family Support Network on their website or by calling 1-888-425-4371.