Great Start Home Visiting Program

GREAT Start is an Illinois State Board of Education Prevention Initiative Home Visiting Program. We serve expecting parents and families with children under the age of three. GREAT Start focuses on the parent-children relationship, child development, and family support.

We support families in the form of personal home visits, parent/child interaction play groups, and connection to community resources. We also provide Developmental Screenings for all children enrolled in our program. GREAT Start staff are trained under the Baby Talk Model, which is an evidence-based curriculum supported by the Illinois State Board of Education.

GREAT Start also provides supplemental doula services to pregnant home visiting participants enrolled in the program. GREAT Start doula support services are available to enrolled pregnant families starting at 28 weeks of pregnancy. Doulas provide weekly home visiting support, education in childbirth and preparing for labor, and provide continuous labor support throughout labor and delivery. After birth, doulas continue to meet with participants until two months postpartum.

• Personalized Bi-Weekly Home Visits
• Prenatal Development & Pregnancy Education
• Developmental, Social-Emotional, Hearing, and Vision Screenings
• Resource & Referral Connections
• Child & Parent Activities
• Age-Appropriate Developmental Activities
• Family-Centered Play groups
• Parent Lending Library
• New Baby Welcome Gift
• Home Safety Materials
• Breastfeeding Support with Lactation Consultants on Staff

• Personalized Weekly Home Visits
• Assistance with the Creation of a “Birth Plan”
• Support in Preparing for Labor
• Education on Childbirth and the Postpartum Period

• Participate in activities and story times that promote your child's development
• Meet and interact with other parents
• Create make-it & take-it activities and crafts

Signing up is simple and fast! Give us a call at 217-531-4342 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will arrange a time to come out and meet with you!