CCSOMO is committed to helping children and families achieve health and a brighter future
A LifeHouse staff member enjoys a moment with children born to former residents who visit weekly as part of the AfterCare program. PHOTO: John Farmer de la Torre/CCSOMO
OVERVIEW OF CCSOMO MATERNAL & FAMILY PROGRAMS
Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri (CCSOMO) provides vital services to homeless moms-to-be, and new moms and dads, through four programs designed to support children and families. CCSOMO currently offers the following maternal and family programs, which are described in more detail on this webpage.
- Dedicated Dads
- Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies
- LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home and AfterCare Program
A Dedicated Dad participant is pictured in this photo with an AfterCare client. Another program participant said of the program, "It has helped me take a step back and evaluate different styles and perspectives not only of fathering, but also in my relationships as a whole so that I can be the best man I know I can be." PHOTO: Submitted by client/CCSOMO.
Dedicated Dads
Building stronger fathers, building stronger families
Program Description
Dedicated Dads is a program for men to focus on improving their knowledge, skills, and abilities as a parent. Dedicated Dads uses “24/7 Dad” curriculum to guide participants through content and discussions around being the best father possible. Throughout this program, men will work with a trained facilitator to explore their own history and learn to adapt behaviors and characteristics to reverse trends of father absence. Topics covered include showing and handling feelings, discipline, children’s growth, and co-parenting.
Services offered as part of the Dedicated Dads program:
- Individualized comprehensive case management.
- Education on a variety of topics, and life skills including pregnancy and maternal health, newborn care, budgeting, housing, debt management, cooking, gardening/nutrition, healthy relationships, reducing instances of child abuse and neglect, anger management, processing emotions, working through trauma and much more.
- Housing until clients newborn baby turns one year old.
- Permanent housing transition achieved together with case management beginning 3-6 months postpartum.
- One-on-one counseling with our mental health counselor.
- One-on-one education with our registered nurse focusing on improving general health for mother and understanding prenatal and infant care.
- Transportation to medical appointments, work, school provided by volunteers, staff, and public transit as able.
- AfterCare program-continued case management and resource connection for two years after transitioning out of LifeHouse.
- Ongoing Individualized care plans promoting self-sufficiency.
- Dedicated Dads program for supporting fathers.
Goals of the Dedicated Dads program:
- Healthy, full-term babies being cared for in a loving nurturing home environment.
- Improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women practice good health-related behaviors, decreasing incidents of maternal death.
- Improve child health and development, along with practicing safe sleep to decrease infant mortality.
- Improve families’ economic self-sufficiency.
- Decrease incidents of Child Abuse & Neglect.
- Decrease incidents of intimate partner violence.
Eligibility
- A father of a baby or toddler in the LifeHouse or Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program.
- Soon to be available to all Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri programs.
A CCSOMO case manager delivers much-needed diapers to a Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies client. PHOTO: Submitted by CCSOMO staff.
Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies
We Listen. We Help. We Care.
Program Description
Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies is a comprehensive case management program that offers pregnancy and parenting support to mothers and families currently pregnant and that meet eligibility guidelines. Working with professional case managers, we offer pre and post-natal education with the goal of improving pregnancy outcomes. Through regular case management, clients learn new skills for a strong, self-sufficient lifestyle. This includes improved understanding of infant growth and development and an improved family economic foundation.
Our case management services include:
- Personalized attention with home visits
- Prenatal and postnatal education
- Maternity and baby items
- Parenting and life skills training
- Health and nutrition information
- Referrals to medical and community resources
- On-going support and education during baby’s first year
- Other services dependent on specific needs
- Ongoing Individualized care plans promoting self-sufficiency
- Dedicated Dads for supporting fathers
Goals of the program:
- Healthy, full-term babies being cared for in a loving nurturing home environment
- Reduce abortions.
- Improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women practice good health-related behaviors, decreasing incidents of maternal death.
- Improve child health and development, along with practicing safe sleep to decrease infant mortality.
- Improve families’ economic self-sufficiency.
- Decrease incidents of Child Abuse & Neglect.
- Decrease incidents of intimate partner violence.
Eligibility
- Missouri resident with proof (driver’s license, home bill with address).
- Pregnant and willing to carry child to term, parent child or place for adoption.
- At or below 185% of poverty level.
- Provide proof of pregnancy.
The LifeHouse program is structure opportunity to achieve self-sufficiency. PHOTO: John Farmer de la Torre/CCSOMO.
LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home & AfterCare
Provides Hope for a New Life
Program Description
LifeHouse is a residential program for homeless pregnant women aged 18 or older. Each resident can have one child under the age of five with them. The mission of LifeHouse is to provide a safe, nurturing home and supportive services for women who have chosen life for their unborn child. LifeHouse is not just a shelter, but a comprehensive program that has the goal of making a better life for the mother and the child. LifeHouse provides case management, food and shelter, counseling, and so much more.
Services offered by LifeHouse:
- Individualized comprehensive case management.
- Education on a variety of topics, and life skills including pregnancy and maternal health, newborn care, budgeting, housing, debt management, cooking, gardening/nutrition, healthy relationships, reducing instances of child abuse and neglect, anger management, processing emotions, working through trauma and much more.
- Housing until clients newborn baby turns one year old.
- Permanent housing transition achieved together with case management beginning 3-6 months postpartum.
- One-on-one counseling with our mental health counselor.
- One-on-one education with our registered nurse focusing on improving general health for mother and understanding prenatal and infant care.
- Transportation to medical appointments, work, school provided by volunteers, staff, and public transit as able.
- AfterCare program-continued case management and resource connection for two years after transitioning out of LifeHouse.
- Ongoing Individualized care plans promoting self-sufficiency.
- Dedicated Dads program for supporting fathers.
Goals of the LifeHouse and AfterCare programs:
- Healthy, full-term babies being cared for in a loving nurturing home environment.
- Improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women practice good health-related behaviors, decreasing incidents of maternal death.
- Improve child health and development, along with practicing safe sleep to decrease infant mortality.
- Improve families’ economic self-sufficiency.
- Decrease incidents of Child Abuse & Neglect.
- Decrease incidents of intimate partner violence.
Eligibility
- Pregnant, homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
- Age 18 or older, we can accommodate one addition child under the age of 5
- Sobriety (drugs and alcohol)
- Willing to have flu vaccination during flu season
- Willing to utilize licensed childcare providers
- Participate in the LifeHouse program
CONTACT YOUR NEAREST CCSOMO OFFICE TO LEARN MORE
Contact your local CCSOMO office to begin the process of determining your eligibility for assistance. You may also write CCSOMO at info@ccsomo.org.
CAPE GIRARDEAU OFFICE
Call 573.335.0905
Serving Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Iron, and Madison counties.JOPLIN OFFICE
Call 417.624.3790
Serving Barry, Barton, Barry, Barton, Cedar, Dade, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, and Newton counties.SIKESTON OFFICE
Call 573.481.0659
Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott, and Stoddard counties.SPRINGFIELD HOUSING OFFICE
Call 417.268.9998
Serving Christian, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, LaClede, Ozark, Polk, Stone, Taney, Webster, and Wright counties.VAN BUREN / POPLAR OFFICE
Call 573.323.4044
Serving Butler, Carter, Dent, Howell, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, Texas, and Wayne counties.
