CAPC Corps Birth and Beyond

A free program supporting new mothers

Child abuse and neglect is a significant problem in Sacramento County. Annually 25,000 children are reported abused or neglected and 4,900 children are placed out of their homes. Countywide and zip code data identify 8 neighborhoods where children are most at-risk for abuse and neglect. Child abuse and neglect lead to higher probabilities of criminal behavior, suicide, drug use and other societal problems. Child abuse and neglect research identifies parental stress such as isolation, poverty, lack of health and mental health resources, and limited knowledge of child development and parenting practices as the underlying cause of child abuse and neglect.

Since 2000, the Family Support Collaborative (FSC) has operated the Birth & Beyond program as a response to the problem of child abuse. The FSC has a vision of a child population that enjoys a high quality of life and strong, stable family units and individuals. The FSC believes that parents are first and foremost responsible for the health and safety of their children and that we have the ability to create resources to meet the needs of every child.

The CAPC Corps Birth & Beyond (B&B) program is a child abuse prevention program utilizing AmeriCorps members to provide prevention services in proven models of home visitation and family resource centers. Based on the belief that the use of AmeriCorps members will strengthen prevention efforts, the FSC partnership developed specific objectives for preventing child abuse:
  1. Home Visitation: to establish and expand preventative family outreach mentoring and support for Home Visitation targeting families with children between 0 and 5.
  2. Family Resource Centers: to strengthen communities and families by enhancing the range and depth of services provided in and by the Family Resource Center.
The primary goal of the B&B program is the prevention of child abuse and neglect. CAPC Corps members serving as Home Visitors assist families who are overburdened by poverty, illness, or other challenges. Home Visitors provide in home parenting education, advocacy and assistance in obtaining health insurance and health services, linking family members to needed services such as child care, preschool, adult education, employment services, legal services and a variety of social services. Success in meeting this goal is measured by the reduced risk for child abuse and neglect by examining the change in recidivism to the Child Welfare System for families served.

CAPC Corps members serving as Family Resource Centers (FRC) Aides provide children and families a variety of services in a single location. FRCs developed in response to a community’s need to provide centralized, “one stop shop” for resources, services, and support in areas where services may otherwise be inaccessible. FRCs respond to community interest and priorities and offer voluntary participatory programs. CAPC Corps members serving in FRCs provide children and families with four distinct categories of services: (1) one-time referral and linkages to health, social and family support resources; (2) ongoing intensive services to children and families in need; (3) parent education; and (4) public health classes.

CAPC Corps Birth & Beyond Performance Measures:
  • 950 core participant parents will receive parent support and parenting education services through home visitation;
  • 90% of 500 home visitation parents will report a 75% increase in the use of effective parenting;
  • 75% of 500 home visitation parents will report a 75% decrease in parental stress;
  • 1080 parents will attend effective parenting education workshops at the FRC;
  • 75% of 1080 parents attending parenting workshops will report a 75% increase in their use of effective parenting practices;
  • Members will receive and demonstrate proficiency in Parent Support and Parenting Education Training;
  • Volunteer Coordinators will recruit, train, and retain 120 intensive and 1000 episodic volunteers to expand and enhance Family Resource Services.

Birth and Beyond provides free services to families in their own homes and at family resource centers in their neighborhoods. The focus of the program is to nurture the relationship between mother and baby and provide information and support through:
  • Home Visits
  • Child Development
  • Parent Support
  • Information
  • Community Resources

Pregnant women or families with new babies 0 – 3 months old who live in Sacramento County may participate. Priority is given to first-time mothers, teen mothers, and single parents.

Why Should New Moms Want to Participate?

  • They want to be a better parent
  • Their family is over burdened
  • They feel isolated or alone
  • They lack help at home
  • They have or are at risk of multiple births
  • They have had little or late prenatal care (after 28 weeks)
  • They lack a supportive family or friends nearby
  • They lack health care coverage

Birth and Beyond provides support new moms can count on via a Home Visitor and a team made up of the following:

  • Public Health Nurse
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • Child Development Specialist
  • Child Care Aide
  • Cal WORKS Professional

New moms get the support and assistance they need to give their baby the most valuable gift of all – an enthusiastic, loving and nurturing family.

Birth and Beyond is supported by the Family Support Collaborative.

Birth and Beyond programs are located at:

Arden Arcade Family Resource Center
3419 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
916-481-0130

Bret Harte Family Resource Center
2751 9th Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
916-277-7071

Rancho Cordova Neighborhood Center
10665 Coloma Road
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
916-851-1651

La Familia Counseling Center
5523 34th Street
Sacramento, CA 95820
916-452-3601

Meadowview Family Resource Center
2251 Florin Road
Sacramento, CA 95822
916-594-6300

Mutual Assistance Network
811 Grand Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95838
916-927-7694

Noralto Family Resource Center
477 Las Palmas Rooms 25 and 34
Sacramento, CA 95815
916-263-6503

Health Start Family Resource Center
5251 Valley Hi Drive
Sacramento, CA 95823
916-442-1091

David Reese Healthy Start
7600 Lindale Drive
Sacramento, CA 95828
916-392-9081

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