Goals of the Smart Start Healthy Families Mecklenburg (SSHFM) Program include promoting a healthy pregnancy, providing education on positive parenting skills and child development, preventing child abuse through education, linking families to needed community resources, and encouraging healthy life choices.

View SSHFM Brochure


Client Eligibility

To qualify for the program, families must be Mecklenburg County residents, pregnant and/or parenting for the first time; and meet entry requirements of a standardized assessment tool. For more information or referral, please call 704-336-5074.

Services Available  

Smart Start Healthy Families Mecklenburg is a home visiting program that provides education on healthy pregnancy, child development, healthy life choices and links to community resources. These services are provided by a nurse or social worker. The services are provided during pregnancy and until the child is age 2 years, with the possibility of extending services to age 3 years depending on the need. The frequency of visits varies. Initially, visits are weekly and may be decreased according to the need of the family and the program requirements.

Cost and Payment Information

There is no cost for services.