Healthy Futures

Healthy Futures is a universal, community-based program working to ensure that every expectant mother and child under age two in the eight-county Northwestern Michigan region has access to services and support crucial to a healthy beginning. As a cornerstone entry point to a broader system of early childhood resources and support, Healthy Futures is a collaboration between three hospitals, four health departments, and over 100 practitioners. With a focus on breastfeeding, immunization, and access to health care provider services as key maternal and child health promotion strategies, the project offers individualized assessment, education, and support services at no charge.

Healthy Futures is unique because there are no income or risk qualifications for families. Furthermore, it enjoys exceptionally high participation and satisfaction rates because families are able to control the amount of information and intervention they receive. The level of involvement varies as the family determines: from mailing age-appropriate newsletters with health and developmental information, to personal contact with a public health registered nurse through phone calls and home visits. If a client is eligible for WIC, Maternal/Infant Support, or other services through the public health department, this same nurse is also there to assist them. A relationship-based care approach between clients and nurses provides a level of support that may exist through several pregnancies. As a true collaborative utilizing a "together we can do" approach, each partner entity — hospitals, health departments, health care practitioners — contributes expertise and resources for maximum impact.

The overall goal of Healthy Futures is to improve community health by ensuring access to health care and community resources for pregnant women and young children in the region.

In 2012, over 3,500 contacts, 970 home visits, and 30,000 educational mailings were delivered. Of those who initiated breastfeeding at birth, 67% of enrolled infants are still breastfeeding at eight weeks post-partum. Eighty-three percent of enrolled two-year-old children are fully immunized.

Since 1998 the Healthy Futures Program has served over 20,000 families with developmentally appropriate educational material, including an evidenced-based video to help parents understand infant crying and ultimately prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome, literacy information from birth, and newsletters up to age five to provide anticipatory guidance. Referrals and connections to additional resources are common. In 2012, over 2,500 children (born and unborn) were enrolled and have received over 3,500 contacts, 970 home visits, and 30,000 educational mailings. From 2006 to 2012 enrollment in the program among births from partner hospitals increased from just over 40% to 70% of all births regionally; of those who initiated breastfeeding at birth, 67% of Healthy Futures-enrolled infants are still breastfeeding at eight weeks post-partum. This rate is higher than the regional WIC, state, or national rates. Furthermore, 83% of two-year-old children enrolled in Healthy Futures are fully immunized, a percentage higher than the regional, state, or national rates. In 2010, because of the exceptional efforts in improving community health, Healthy Futures was awarded the American Hospital Association's prestigious Nova Award.