OUR SERVICES
Women, Children and Family Services

> 1st Five
> Care for Kids Program
> Connections Program
> Early Access Iowa
> Empowerment Parent Education Project
> Family Planning Program
> Getting It Together Program
> Healthy Start and Empowerment Family Support Projects
> I-Smile Program
> Maternal Child Health Outreach
> Maternal Child Health Program
> Mental Health Services
> Postpartum Depression Partnership Program
> Stork's Nest
> Transportation Services

1st Five
1st Five, Healthy Mental Development Initiative is a project funded by the Iowa Legislature to assist medical practitioners in providing social/emotional, family stress and parental depression screenings to children during well-child medical exams.  If a red-flag is detected through this screening process the family is then linked to Visiting Nurse Services for care coordination services.  These care coordination services are offered to address the needs of the entire family.  1st Five understands that the health and well being of family members directly impacts the health of an infant or young child.  After resource and referral information is provided to the family, the VNS Care Coordinator then apprises the referring medical provider to the outcome of the referral.  Call 515-558-9959 for more information.

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CARE FOR KIDS PROGRAM
Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment (EPSDT) is provided by the VNS Care for Kids Program to serve all residents of Polk County. EPSDT is the benefit package of Medicaid/Title 19 for individuals under age 21 years. The focus of Care for Kids is to link individuals to:

  • Preventive health care, including regular medical, dental, vision and hearing checkups
  • Treatment for health problems identified during regular check-ups that includes health care specialists and mental health services
  • Assistance with overcoming barriers to health care, such as transportation and interpretation services
  • Community resources that help to improve the health and well being of individuals in the program (WIC, Early Access, parenting classes, child care assistance, housing assistance, etc.)
For questions about Care for Kids, please call 515-283-1422.

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CONNECTIONS PROGRAM
The VNS Connections Program provides nursing visits to pregnant and parenting adolescents attending school in Polk County. Registered nurses and a registered dietician provide:
  • Prenatal and post partum health education
  • Child development screening and education
  • Perinatal depression screening and referral
  • Referrals to community resources
  • Nutrition counseling
  • Family planning counseling
  • Interpretation services available upon request
Referrals can be made by a physician, social worker, family member, friend or as a self-referral.

Please contact our intake nurse at 515-558-9946 for more information.

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EARLY ACCESS IOWA

Early ACCESS Iowa is a VNS program funded and administered by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The purpose of Early ACCESS Iowa is to serve as the central point of contact and directory for families.  Early ACCESS Iowa assists families and providers in connecting with Early ACCESS and community-based services that address specialized child and family needs through a user friendly system that includes a 1) website, 2) toll-free telephone service, and 3) a single point of contact to provide facilitation of resources and referrals.

Early ACCESS Iowa is Iowa's free statewide information and referral service for people with disabilities, their families, their service providers and other members of the community. Information specialists are available via telephone and e-mail, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Call us at 1-888-IAKIDS1 (1-888-425-4371) for more information or on the internet at www.EarlyACCESSIowa.org.



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EMPOWERMENT PARENT EDUCATION PROJECT
The VNS Empowerment Parent Education Project has trained educators who provide parent education in family's homes. They use the "Parents as Teachers" curriculum and provide parent education, child development and social-emotional screenings, resources and referrals, and family support through home visitation and parent-child activities.

Call 515-558-9946 for more information.

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FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAM
The VNS Family Planning Program offers family planning services including pregnancy testing; family planning education and counseling; breast and pelvic exams; screening for cervical cancer; and screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Services are voluntary, confidential and available on a sliding fee scale.

To receive family planning services, call 515-286-3798.

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GETTING IT TOGETHER  PROGRAM

The Getting It Together Project provides wraparound services to families with youth who have been diagnosed with a Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED). The project is an effort designed to prevent hospitalization, group care, entering the child welfare/juvenile justice system or to further divert involvement with the child welfare/juvenile justice system. The Getting It Together Project serves youth of all income levels in Polk County with a special emphasis on outreach to minority and low-income families.
 

The Getting It Together Project offers the following: 

  • Individualized care plan developed by the child and family team to identify and develop key formal and informal supports;
  • Parent Support Group for families with a child who has a  SED;
  • Sibling Support Group for children with a brother or sister who has a SED;
  • Transportation for families participating in support groups;
  • Child Care for families participating in support groups; and
  • Interpretation services for families whose primary language is one other than English.

 
Referrals can be made by the child’s school, therapist, friend or self-referral.  For more information about the Getting It Together Project or referrals, please call 515-558-6247.


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HEALTHY START & EMPOWERMENT FAMILY SUPPORT PROJECTS
The VNS Healthy Start and Empowerment Family Support Projects provide case management services to families in need in Polk County who are pregnant or have a child up to the age of six. Case management services include:
  • Home visits
  • Prenatal, post partum and parenting education
  • Child development screening and education
  • Perinatal depression screening and referral
  • Support groups
  • Referrals to community resources and support in accessing services
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) classes including transportation and child care
  • Parent involvement opportunities
Bilingual case managers and interpreters are available to assist people who speak Arabic, Spanish and Vietnamese. Referrals can be made by a physician, social worker, family member, friend, or as a self-referral.

Please contact our intake nurse at 515-558-9946 for more information.

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I-SMILE PROGRAM

The I-Smile Program provides oral health screenings; oral health education; nutrition education relating to oral health; fluoride varnish application; and a referral to a dentist for comprehensive dental needs.  The program targets pregnant women and children under the age of 21 residing in Polk County.   The program provides services at the following locations:

Visiting Nurse Services
Park Fair Mall Office
100 E Euclid, Suite 129
Des Moines, Iowa
515-557-9023

Monday's by appointment only.

La Clinica de la Esperanza
2679 Maury Street
Des Moines, Iowa
515-244-6162

Every Wednesday from 1pm to 4pm.

HOLA Center
618 E 18th Street
Des Moines, Iowa
515-299-4652

Every 4th Thursday of each month from 1pm to 4pm.

WIC River Plaza
2300 E Euclid, Suite D
Des Moines, Iowa
515-282-5800

1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 8am to 4:30pm.

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MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH OUTREACH
The VNS Maternal Child Health Outreach Program has Outreach Specialists who assist uninsured families, children, and pregnant women in obtaining health care coverage and finding a doctor and dentist. Bi-lingual outreach specialists who speak Spanish and English are located at the HOLA Center at 618 East 18th Street, and English-speaking specialists are located at the VNS main office. Other languages are served with the use of VNS interpreters. Program assistance includes:
  • Answering questions about free or low-cost health insurance options
  • Facilitating the hawk-i or Medicaid process
    • Assist with completing the application
    • Advocate on client's behalf
    • Serve as a liaison
  • Explaining additional family programs based on eligibility
  • Providing community referrals
  • Helping enroll on VNS Dental Voucher Program based on the following guidelines:
    • A child is under 21 years old
    • Has no dental insurance
    • Lives in Polk County
    • Meets the income requirements
    • Has never participated in the program
The VNS Maternal Child Health Outreach Team is a proud partner of the Healthcare Coverage for Kids Coalition that provides hawk-i and Medicaid outreach throughout Polk County.

For questions or assistance, call 558-9946 for English speaking services, and 229-HOLA (4652) for Spanish speaking services.

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MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH PROGRAM
The VNS Maternal Child Health Program provides nursing visits to pregnant and parenting women living in Polk County. Registered nurses and dieticians provide:
  • Prenatal and post partum health education
  • Child development screening and education
  • Perinatal depression screening and referral
  • Referrals to community resources
  • Nutrition counseling
  • Family planning counseling
  • Interpretation services available upon request
Referrals can be made by a physician, social worker, family member, friend or as a self-referral.

Please contact our intake nurse at 515-558-9946 for more information.

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MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The VNS Mental Health Services program offers therapy groups, individual, couples and family counseling conducted by a mental health counselor. Counseling services can be used to address any number of challenges including stress management, relationship issues, communication, parenting, and any other situations causing distress.

Please contact our intake nurse at 515-558-9946 for more information.

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Postpartum Depression Partnership Program
The Visiting Nurse Services Postpartum Depression Partnership Program is funded through a grant from the Wellmark Foundation.  This program offers screening, assessment and treatment services for women experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression. 

A licensed mental health professional is available to provide the following services:
  • Consultation:  The program offers an opportunity for women who may be experiencing symptoms of depression, to receive a face-to-face interview with a licensed mental health professional who will screen, assess, and make appropriate treatment referrals. 
  • Treatment:  The program provides therapeutic services to women who may be experiencing depression and their partners and family members through individual, couples, and/or family therapy.
  • Groups:  The program offers both support and therapy groups
    related to perinatal depression.
  • Alternative Treatment Options:  For those women uncomfortable with participating in traditional treatment services, a highly trained professional may offer supportive listening visits.  
  • Training and Development:  The program offers training and consultation services to staff and community members wanting more information about postpartum depression.  These trainings will help others identify risk factors associated with postpartum depression, as well as ways to access treatment services.
The Postpartum Depression Partnership Program is open to receiving referrals from individuals, providers, local hospitals, OB and/or family practice clinics, and other human service agencies. Please call the Program Coordinator at 515-558-6248 for further information or to make a referral.
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STORK'S NEST
The VNS Stork's Nest is an educational incentive program. Pregnant women who reside in Polk County and who meet program income guidelines may enroll in the Stork's Nest. Participants earn points for healthy behaviors such as keeping medical appointments, WIC participation, breastfeeding, and school attendance. These points are redeemed for needed baby items such as diapers, clothing, strollers, cribs and car seats.

Call 515-558-9950 for more information.

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TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
VNS provides transportation services to children and families for the purpose of keeping medical and dental appointments as well as keeping mental health appointments. Those eligible include children under the age of 21 who are enrolled in Medicaid/Title 19. We recommend that the requests for assistance be made at least two working days before an appointment.

Call 515-558-9972 to arrange for transportation.

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Current Programs & News

VNS receives a 15 passenger Sunshine Coach from Variety – The Children’s Charity of Iowa

Welcome!

Testimonials

“Visiting Nurse Services is amazing. They call me just to check in to see how my children are doing.”

- Mary, Maternal Child Health Outreach Program client

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