Baby TALK Warm Line

Delivering information to parents in a timely fashion is always a challenge. Parents’ concerns rarely present when they are face-to-face with the doctor or attending a parenting activity. Instead, they present at times when the parent is at home and isolated from resources. The Baby TALK Warmline provides a way for parents to access information and support at the time they need it.

Intended to be a non-crisis service, the Warmline answers questions about parenting issues and child development. Often, the Warmline provides a listening ear to a parent who already knows what she ought to do but needs to talk it out with someone else. Many referrals are made through the Warmline which is equipped with information about community services available.

At the time of their baby’s birth, parents are given a refrigerator magnet bearing the Warmline number: 475-BABY (2229). Outreach calls are made to parents whose children are 2-4 weeks of age to ask how everything is going. If there is a concern of any kind, an appropriate handout is mailed to the parent. The parent is called one week later to see how things are going. If the family is still struggling with the problem, a new approach will be suggested. A situation may warrant a home visit or referral to still another agency.

The Warmline is staffed Baby TALK teachers.  Baby TALK teachers use their 1-2 hours/week of preparation time to man the Warmline.