Guide for Moms

Mothers and mothers-to-be could use a helping hand at times. This guide is designed to help mothers find the resources that may help them and their families. Click on any of the topics below for more information

Third edition prepared by Cleveland Regional Perinatal Network in collaboration with United Way of Greater Cleveland 211/First Call for Help, with funding provided by MomsFirst, A City of Cleveland Department of Public Health Program. "Supported in part by Project H49MC00082 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act)."

For additional copies of this guide or to comment on its content, please contact the Cleveland Regional Perinatal Network at 11001 Cedar, Suite 320B, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, (216) 844-3391.

Originally prepared at Case Western Reserve University under the direction of Amy Heneghan, MD, with major funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Collaboration provided by: the Cleveland Regional Perinatal Network; University Hospitals MacDonald Women’s Hospital; Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital; MomsFirst; MetroHealth Medical Center and MetroHealth Center for Community Health; Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services, Inc.; and United Way of Greater Cleveland 211/First Call for Help. The format for this guide was inspired by "Your Guide to Mental Health Services in Cleveland," published by The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Metro Cleveland.

This guide provides selected resources for mothers of diverse backgrounds. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide. Inclusion of resources in this guide is informational only and does not represent an endorsement of specific organizations.

Being a mother can be wonderful and rewarding. But all mothers have their struggles! Perhaps you feel lonely or depressed at times; maybe it’s hard to pay the bills; or sometimes you have more questions than answers about how to raise your child!

q During the past two weeks, have you ever felt down, depressed or hopeless?

q During the past two weeks, have you felt little interest or pleasure in doing things?

What are your needs? What type of help do you need right now? Maybe you could use the company of other moms or some good parenting advice. Perhaps you’ve struggled with “baby blues” or depression. Are money problems overwhelming you? What if you could talk with someone who understands your situation?

Who can help you and how? Organizations in your community can help meet the daily needs of your family: food, shelter, clothing, etc. Health care professionals can help you deal with stress, parenting or family issues, and emotional or mental health problems. Other groups in your area may offer support for your special situation or needs. You just need to know where to look! That’s how this guide can help you.

You don’t have to wait until you’re desperate to ask for help! Finding the resources you need now will help you get through difficult situations and better prepare you and your family for the future.

Pregnant women and new moms experience lots of emotions, many of them wonderful. But some mothers may feel unhappy, guilty, stressed, depressed, lonely or overwhelmed. These feelings can be intense may last for quite awhile. Mothers may even feel afraid to talk about them. But these emotions are common and can affect a woman’s health and her family’s happiness. If you have these feelings, talk to someone who can help:

v Your health care provider (family doctor, internist, nurse, OB/GYN, or your child’s pediatrician) may provide information, referrals or treatment.

v Your health insurance provider can tell you about your mental health care coverage.

v A trusted clergyperson may be able to recommend faith-based counseling services.

v Support groups with other mothers can be a source of encouragement and advice.

24-hour crisis hotline for mental health issues. Information and referral for adults and children.

Mental health care and counseling to pregnant and postpartum women with depression, anxiety, and substance use.

Counseling and other mental health services. “Help for Moms” program for new moms who may be at risk for depression.

If you have urgent concerns about yourself or your family’s health or safety, call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or call MHS, Inc. Mobile Crisis 24 hour hotline at 216-623-6888.

Nurses give information, referrals and support to those who are thinking of becoming pregnant, pregnant women and new mothers.

Referrals to day care centers and in-home providers; before- and after-school care; and preschool education, including Head Start.

Helps pregnant women and new mothers who live in Cleveland connect with community resources. Free in-home pregnancy testing

Information and referral to community services for parents of children up to age three. Ongoing in-home parent education and support for those who qualify

POEM (Perinatal Outreach and Encouragement for Moms) - Maternal Mental Health Alliance 216-373-0302

Provides a local support group run by mothers who have experienced depression during pregnancy and/or postpartum depression.

Phone 211/First Call For Help at 211 or 216-436-2000 24 hours, 7 days a week for parenting support groups and classes.

Are there times when you feel unsafe around anyone you know or live with? If so, please call one of the numbers below. Help is available, whether you need a safe place to stay or counseling for yourself or someone you know.

Provides telephone help during a crisis, referral to shelters, counseling, referrals and information for people in a current or past domestic violence situation. Offered 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Offers a 24-hour confidential and/or anonymous hotline providing crisis counseling and support, information and referrals for survivors of rape, incest, or sexual abuse or assault.

Provides legal advocacy and assistance with finding and obtaining services for battered individuals. Callers do not have to be Jewish to receive help.

Provides justice system advocacy, support, and information for victims of domestic violence and/or violent crime.

Cuyahoga County Department of Children & Family Services 216-696-KIDS (5437)

Sometimes mothers or other family members use and/or abuse substances that could be harmful to them or their family. If you need help, call one of the numbers below.

Help for alcohol and drug addiction. Offers assessment, treatment, information and referral.

Provides referrals for alcohol and drug abuse counseling and treatment 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Provides toll-free telephone counseling for those who want to quit smoking. Enrolled clients may receive a supply of nicotine patches at a reduced cost.

When children have special health, behavioral, or developmental problems, their parents sometimes need extra support. Ask your child’s health care provider about organizations that may provide specialized care, support, information or assistance for your child’s special needs.

Provides information, referral and home visits for families who have children up to age three with disabilities or developmental problems.

Offers referrals to community resources and services for children with specific medical or behavioral conditions.

Provides food vouchers, infant formula, nutrition education, counseling, support and health care referrals for low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and children up to age five.

Provides funds to buy food with a debit type card to be used at grocery stores. Income restrictions apply.

There are places that provide for free a few days supply of food or a hot meal. Call 211/First Call for Help at 211 or 216-436-2000 24 hours, 7 days a week for a referral to a location nearest you.

For information and referrals to emergency shelter and housing programs phone 211/First Call For Help 24 hours, 7 days a week at 211 or 216-436-2000.

Are you in need of things such as: new or used maternity or baby clothing, baby supplies, or infant car seats? There are agencies that may be able to provide these items at no cost or at a reduced rate. Phone 211/First Call For Help at 211 or 216-436-2000 24 hours, 7 days a week for referrals to these agencies.

Your insurance company can give you information about covered services and a list of approved providers.

Children and parents may be eligible for Medicaid coverage through the Cuyahoga County Employment & Family Services Healthy Start/Healthy Families program. Call the Healthy Start Hotline at 216-987-7346 or go to www.healthystart.cuyahogacounty.us for more information and to find out whether you qualify.

There are community health clinics that provide primary medical care free of charge or for a fee that varies based on your income. Call 211/First Call For Help at 211 or 216-436-2000 24 hours, 7 days a week for a referral to a clinic or office in your area.

Provides referrals to agencies that help with job search, job placement, employment counseling, writing a resume and other employment-related services.

Ohio Works First (OWF): Provides limited-time cash benefits and supportive services to low-income families.

Offers education and solutions for people with financial problems. Helps with alternatives to bankruptcy.

Services include payment arrangements for utility bills, budget counseling, consumer complaints, and representative payee program.

For referrals to more agencies that can help with mortgage foreclosure or other financial issues phone 211/First Call for Help 24 hours, 7 days a week at 211 or 216-436-2000.

Cleveland Bar Association 216-696-3525 (Main)

216-696-3532 (Lawyer referral line)

www.clevelandbar.org

Offers referrals to lawyers. There is no charge for referral information, but the lawyer will charge for service.

Cuyahoga County Bar Association 216-621-2414

www.cuybar.org

Provides referrals to lawyers. Free brief phone consultation with attorney. Clients who make an appointment to meet with an attorney will be charged a reduced rate for the first half-hour and regular private rates afterward.

Cuyahoga County Support Enforcement Agency

216-443-5100 (Main)

800-860-2555 (Automated balance/payment information)

www.csea.cuyahogacounty.us

Information on court-ordered child and spousal support. Legally establishes paternity. Establishes, modifies, and enforces support orders in Cuyahoga County. To apply to change your child support, call your Child Support Enforcement Officer or contact a lawyer.

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On-line Information and Support

These are a few of the many websites for parents. Almost all public libraries have FREE Internet access. Remember that on-line information should never replace the advice of a trained health professional.

www.211cleveland.org 211/First Call For Help

Search this database for services or organizations in Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Medina Counties that might help you or your family.

www.crpn.net Cleveland Regional Perinatal Network

“OH BABY: A Consumer’s Guide to Having a Baby in Northeast Ohio.” Where to go for care, how to choose a provider/hospital. Information on perinatal depression.

www.mededppd.org National Institute of Mental Health - MedEd

Provides information and education about postpartum depression.

www.zerotothree.org

Information for parents and professionals regarding infant and toddler health.

www.postpartum.net

Information, resources, and open phone forums for new moms.

www.modimes.org March of Dimes

Provides information on pregnancy and newborn health.

www.neofathering.net Healthly Fathering Collaborative –

Parenting information for fathers and families in Northeast Ohio

www.fatherhoodinitiative.cuyahogacounty.us Cuyahoga County Fatherhood Initiative – Fathers Matter

Information about services for fathers.

www.kidshealth.org

Information on pregnancy and parenting; kids’ health, growth/development, nutrition and fitness.

Back to Topics

Back to Perinatal Depression: For Mothers, mothers-to-be, and their families and friends

Back to Perinatal Depression: For Health Care Providers

Back to CRPN Home Page