(269) 345-5595 Ext. 305 cradlekalamazoo@ywcakalamazoo.org

Are You Pregnant and Need Support?

Cradle Kalamazoo understands that pregnancy and raising children can be difficult. It takes a village to raise a child. Cradle Kalamazoo is coordinating care and services for pregnant/expectant mothers and infants offered by organizations across Kalamazoo County.

Cradle Kalamazoo recommends that families looking for additional resources and referrals enroll in Family Support programs. Families who participate in home visiting programs benefit from improved maternal, infant, and child health. Services promote positive parenting techniques, healthy child development, and school readiness both inside and outside the home. For more information or to enroll in a program, please contact 269-888-KIDS (5437). Hay servicios en español. 

Below is a list of resources compiled with the help of our partners. These resources are intended to offer additional support and ease the stress of pregnant women and their families.

Family Support Programs

Call 269-888-KIDS (5437) for support in finding the right program for you! Someone will help answer your questions and enroll you in one of the following programs.

  • HEALTHY BABIES HEALTHY START: A family support program for pregnant women and their families. Our goal is to provide you with one-on-one support during your pregnancy. Services are offered to families that live within the 49001, 49006, 49007, 49048 zip codes. By working together, we can help you have a healthy pregnancy and give you continued support until your child turns two! For more information: call 269-373-5279 or visit us online. Hay servicios en español. 
  • HEALTHY FAMILIES AMERICA: A support program for families, pregnant women and infants  to age 3. All expectant parents and parents of newborns in Kalamazoo County are eligible to participate in the Healthy Families America assessment. Families will receive parent education as well as support in helping to overcome stress and trauma. For more information: call 269-373-5042, email dmpric@kalcounty.com, or visit us online. 
  • KRESA EARLY ON: A support program for families, with a developmentally delayed child to age 3. Kresa Early On is a network of services for families who have a child, birth to three years of age, with an identified condition, a developmental delay, or are at risk of a developmental delay. At age three, the Early ON staff person will assist the family in transitioning to the community services that will meet their needs. For more information: call 269-250-9640 or visit us online. 
  • NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP: A support program for WIC or Medicaid eligible pregnant women having their first baby. Nurse-Family Partnership Is a FREE program for women having their first baby. Any woman is eligible who is: Pregnant with her first child, WIC or Medicaid eligible, and lives in Kalamazoo County.For more information: call 269-373-5067 or visit us online. 
  • SAVIOR’S MATERNAL INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM: A support program for Medicaid eligible pregnant women and infants to age 1. Savior’s Maternal Infant Health Program is a home visiting program for Medicaid eligible pregnant women and infants under one year of age. Our goal is healthy pregnancies, good birth outcomes, and healthy infants. For more information: call 269-388-4778 or visit us online. 
  • SEEDS FOR SUCCESS: A home based visiting program for pregnant women and families in Kalamazoo County with children to age 3. The Seeds for Success program focus is on parent child interaction, developmental centered parenting, and family wellbeing. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 1. Reside in Kalamazoo County 2. Pregnant Women or families with children between 0-3 (please contact us for  availability  if you have children 3-5). For more information: call Community Healing Center 269-343-1651, or call KRESA 269-373-5042, or visit us online. 
  • TWENTY HANDS: A Maternal Infant Health Program that provides support to low income pregnant women and infants up to age one with Medicaid benefits.  Twenty Hands is a home visitation program of registered nurses, social workers, and a lactation consultant. Our goal is building relationships and healthy birth outcomes.  We support women through education and providing referrals to resources in the county. For more information: call 269-459-8091 or visit us online. 
  • YWCA KALAMAZOO: YWCA Kalamazoo Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP) is a home visiting program for parents with Medicaid insurance in Kalamazoo County that provides care coordination services to promote healthy pregnancies, successful birth outcomes, and healthy infant development for those who are pregnant or with children ages 0-1. YWCA Kalamazoo Women and Infant Supportive Help (WISH) is a personal visitation program that provides ongoing, positive support that keeps parents and families engaged after the pregnancy and empowers participants to make decisions about their own health and the health of their children ages 0-2 years. Both YWCA MIHP and WISH welcome families of any type or orientation. For more information: call 269-345-5595, email wish@ywcakalamazoo.org, email mihp@ywcakalamazoo.org, or visit us online. 
Emergency Services
  • All Police Departments in the Kalamazoo, MI Area: 911
  • Borgess Emergency and Trauma Center: (269) 226-7000
  • Bronson Trauma and Emergency Care: (269) 341-7654
  • If you need suicide prevention/intervention and other crisis intervention call Gryphon Place 24-hour Crisis Line: 269-381-HELP(4357)
  • If you are a survivor of Domestic Violence and/or Sexual Assault and need assistance call YWCA Kalamazoo 24-hour Crisis Line: (269) 385-3587
  • Legal & Law Enforcement Information: http://www.courtsystem.org

Is what you need not listed here? Call 211 for answers and information.

Breastfeeding/Lactation Specialists
Doula Services and Training
Pregnancy and Birth Control
Supplies
  • Sweet Dreams – Safe Sleep for Your Baby: If you are in need of a safe space for your baby to sleep or if you want to learn more about safe sleep, Sweet Dreams is a class for new and expectant parents and grandparents. Learn about the risks related to sleep environments for babies. Safe sleep equipment is available based on need, while supplies last. Register online by following this link.
Support Groups
Baby/Infant Health

  • Text4Baby: There are a lot of things to remember when you’re pregnant or a new mom. Text4baby makes it easy to get important information, and it’s free. Women who text BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411 receive free text messages three times per week, timed to their due date or their baby’s birth date, through pregnancy and up until the baby’s first birthday. Text4baby sends personalized messages directly to you, and the texts have information you can trust because they are developed by experts from all over the country. There is also an app that provides additional information about baby’s development, pregnancy, childcare tips, and more. Sign-up for text messages here. 

Bereavement Groups:

Fatherhood Groups: 

  • Baby Bump Peer Support Group: This peer support group is for all families in Kalamazoo County. This group offers fun, hands-on activities, education on pre and postnatal topics, engages parents and caretakers with relevant subjects, and offers one-on-one support to those who attend! The group uses knowledgeable specialists from all over to demonstrate various skills and educational themes that will assist parents in how to teach, bond, and interact with their children. There will be child care provided for all youngsters when play groups are not scheduled, so please feel free to bring your children. For additional information, please call Shanika at (269) 345-5595 or email slucas@ywcakalamazoo.org.
  • Healthy Babies Healthy Start – 4Dad Fatherhood Initiative: 4Dad Fatherhood Initiative is a support group that is aimed at strengthening family relationships before, during, and after the child rearing process. 4Dad offers classes every Thursday from 5:30-7:30pm in Downtown Kalamazoo at the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services (3299 Gull Road) to RSVP contact Jacob at 269-373-5047 or email jmpinn@kalcounty.com. For more information, visit their Facebook Page. 

Motherhood Groups: 

  • Baby Bump Peer Support Group: This peer support group is for all families in Kalamazoo County. This group offers fun, hands-on activities, education on pre and postnatal topics, engages parents and caretakers with relevant subjects, and offers one-on-one support to those who attend! The group uses knowledgeable specialists from all over to demonstrate various skills and educational themes that will assist parents in how to teach, bond, and interact with their children. There will be child care provided for all youngsters when play groups are not scheduled, so please feel free to bring your children. For additional information, please call Shanika at (269) 345-5595 or email slucas@ywcakalamazoo.org.
  • Perinatal Emotional Support Group: Kalamazoo’s Perinatal Mood Disorders Coalition offers a support group for pregnant or post-partum women that are experiencing unexpected and challenging mood changes and emotions during this time. A healthcare professional trained in perinatal support will facilitate the meetings in a safe, caring and non-judgmental environment. No registration is necessary and support persons/babies are welcome to attend with you. For more information, review their flyer. 

Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Support Groups: 

  • YWCA Kalamazoo : YWCA Kalamazoo is dedicated to promoting healing of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Victim Services provides free, one-on-one counseling and victim advocacy to sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking survivors. Additionally, they offer a variety of free support groups for survivors of both domestic violence and sexual assault. These are held in English and Spanish. All groups meet at the YWCA of Kalamazoo, 353 East Michigan Avenue (unless otherwise noted). Childcare is available for ALL meetings.  Contact a YWCA Advocate/Counselor to arrange for childcare. Please contact their office at 269-385-3587 or visit their website for more information.

Substance Abuse