River Oak Center for Children: Birth and Beyond

Birth and Beyond Community Response (BBCR) is one of many free and voluntary support
services provided by the River Oak Family Resource Center to families at risk for child abuse or neglect. Available to Sacramento County families with children 0-5 years of age, BBCR promotes
the health and safety of our community's youngest children through:

Primary Prevention services: BBCR home visitation services; First 5 Effective Parenting
Initiative workshops, including Making Parenting A Pleasure, DARE To Be You, and Strengthening Multiethnic Families and Communities; and various other maternal and child health support services and resources.
Early Intervention services: Differential Response home visitation and First Crisis Intervention services.

Jaleesa came to River Oak's BBCR home visitation services program at the age of 19, pregnant and unprepared for the impending arrival of her child. She had no idea what to expect during pregnancy and needed help with parenting skills and ways to support her child's development after birth. She was in an unstable relationship and received no support from her family. She had the drive and determination to do what was best for her baby but just needed someone to advise her and guide her along the way.

By supporting families in their homes during the critical early childhood years, BBCR home visitation services strengthen parenting skills and foster loving bonds between mothers and their children. BBCR home visitation services have proven to be effective in reducing child abuse and neglect by working with pregnant women and mothers of children ranging from newborn to five years of age. A River Oak home visitor worked with Jaleesa during her pregnancy, as well as after the birth of her daughter, setting up prenatal visits and arranging for medical exams and immunizations. The home visitor also helped Jaleesa enroll in Sacramento City College, arranged for child care at the college, and connected her with CalWorks, Sacramento County's welfare-to-work program. At the same time, Jaleesa began taking parenting classes at the Family Resource Center and learned how to encourage healthy development of her daughter from a child development specialist.

Jaleesa did so well in her classes at the Family Resource Center that she eventually began facilitating groups herself! Because of the information, knowledge, support, and self confidence she gained through her experience with BBCR home visitation services and the Family Resource Center - and because of her own drive to succeed - Jaleesa is able to balance the demands of school, work, and family life. She is a loving mother with a happy and healthy child, building a successful future for herself and her daughter.

To be eligible for BBCR, a family must fit the following criteria:

Live in Sacramento County
Pregnant woman or family with children zero to five years of age
Priority is given to teen mothers and single parents
Priority is given to overburdened families who are facing numerous challenges (but all families are welcome)
You and your family may participate until your youngest child reaches age six.

The Birth and Beyond Community Response Program offers free services to families in their own homes and at the River Oak Family Resource Center. To refer yourself or someone else, please complete a Referral Form.

Funding for Birth and Beyond Community Response is provided by the First 5 Sacramento Commission through Proposition 10 (tobacco tax) funds.