Healthy Start @ NYCHA: Connecting Expecting Families to Valuable Resources and Support
NYCHA is working to address hazards in the homes of expecting families and connect those residents to health-related resources through the Healthy Start @ NYCHA initiative. Since its launch in March 2022, more than 900 families have signed up.
Expecting families are enrolled in the Healthy Start program once they register through NYCHA’s Self-Service Portal. And, according to Healthy Start team member and NYCHA resident Sekina Chellel, “Not only do we strive to address potential hazards in the apartments of growing families, but we also build trust with residents and meaningful connections within the maternal health community; we help growing families connect with each other.”
NYCHA reaches out to Healthy Start participants through phone and email to provide information on available resources, connections to organizations that serve expecting families, and invitations to special events. Additionally, since October 2022, the Healthy Start hazard inspection team has been visiting the homes of expecting families, with their consent, to make sure homes are ready for babies and toddlers.
“The inspectors are mainly comprised of NYCHA residents who’ve completed comprehensive training,“ said Daziel Garcia, a NYCHA Environmental Health and Safety Specialist who helped train and coach the inspectors. “We’ve created job opportunities for residents. With more than 350 inspections completed to date, the inspectors look for potential issues such as pests; mold; chipping, peeling, or damaged paint; and window guard and smoke detector problems. When the Healthy Start inspectors identify problems, NYCHA conducts additional assessments and takes action to address these items.”
Healthy Start inspectors at work
“NYCHA does a lot of work to create safer homes for children, but Healthy Start takes it a step further to make homes healthier before hazards become a problem for young children,” said Andrea Mata, NYCHA’s Director of Resident Health Initiatives. “We take a holistic look at each apartment and work with different operations teams within NYCHA to remedy concerns to better support residents.”
The program connects participants to more than 70 partners who offer services ranging from baby bonding classes and doula services to childcare services and newborn home visiting programs. “New York City is deeply invested in maternal health equity,” said Ella Santos, Project Manager at Healthy Start @ NYCHA. “We help residents navigate a complex set of resources. We also host baby shower resource fairs where growing families can meet providers in person to learn more about available services.”
“I love Healthy Start @ NYCHA – it’s great for moms,” added a Healthy Start participant who lives in Breukelen Houses. “I attended the March baby shower fair in Brooklyn and received valuable information and resources. It also was great to connect with other moms through the Talking Circle support group. And, thanks to NYCHA’s check-in call, I found an early childhood program for my 3-year-old. Thank you, Healthy Start – you’ve been so helpful to me and my family.”
Residents attending a Healthy Start baby shower fair
To enroll in Healthy Start, let NYCHA know your family is expecting through the Self-Service Portal. If you have any questions, please email healthy.start@nycha.nyc.gov or call 212-306-8282.