Pregnant, New Mom, Newborn Resources

check organizational links for updates to services provided, days, and times

Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is a nutrition program funded for low to moderate income families. WIC provides nutrition, health and breastfeeding information and support services through Registered Dietitians and Certified Lactation Consultants, including free breast pumps and meal planning ideas.  WIC also provides community resources and referrals to other programs. If you qualify for Medicaid, you also qualify for WIC and SNAP. Locations, phones, days, and times:

• 3131 O St., (402) 441-6200, M, Tu, W, F : 8am - 4:30pm and Thur. 8am - 6:30pm.
• 2662 Cornhusker Hwy Suite 7, (402) 441-4204, Tu-F: 8am - 4:30pm and Wed. 8am - 6:30pm.

Family Services Lincoln, WIC Program provides food assistance, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support, and services referrals for low income pregnant women, new moms, infants and children up to age 5 who live in Nebraska. The program serves women who qualify under the income guidelines or are currently on Medicaid, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).  More information/frequently asked questions.  Locations, phones, days and times: 

• Mill Towne, 501 S. 7th St., (402) 205-7685, M-F 8am – 4:30pm and 1 Saturday per month 8am – 12 noon
• First United Methodist Church, 2723 N. 50th St., (402) 205-7685, one Friday a month
• Southern Heights Presbyterian Church, 5750 S. 40th St., (402) 205-7685, one Thursday a month

Community Action Partnership Lancaster and Saunders Counties Early Head Start Program provides prenatal (pregnancy care) services to expectant parents; nutrition, medical, and dental care; and early childhood education services to infants and toddlers (ages birth to 3 years) for qualifying families. To apply for the program, call (402) 875-9328 or (531) 739-3131 to set up an appointment.  Locations:

• Health 360 Center, 2301 O St., (adjoined to the Health 360 Clinic)
• K Street Center, 1843 K St.  
• 26th Street Center, 2615 O St., Suite 4

MilkWorks is a non-profit community breastfeeding center in Lincoln that provides a wide range of education, support and clinical services. No mother is denied services based upon ability to pay. Location, phone, days and times: 5930 S. 58th St., (402) 423-6402, Mon. - Sat. 9am - 5pm
Services include:

• Personal Use Breast Pumps
• Breastfeeding Consultations
• Rental Pumps and Scales
• Breastfeeding Supplies
• Breastfeeding Information Center
• Classes
• Weight Checks
• Group Support

Malone Maternal Wellness Program (MMW) offers free family support classes and services for Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) individuals.  Location, 2032 U St.;  Phone, (402) 474-1110
Classes and support program include:

• Birthing Classes taught by certified instructors.
• Pregnancy and Childbirth Doula: Doulas assist with creating birthing plans, patient advocacy, informational/physical/emotional support, provide comfort measures, breastfeeding and latching initiation at hospital
• Postpartum Doula: Families enrolled in the Pregnancy and Childbirth Doula Program will receive an additional six visits from a certified postpartum doula during the first twelve after giving birth. Postpartum doulas provide emotional, informational, and physical support, breastfeeding assistance, postpartum care, light housekeeping and delivery of prepared meals and fresh produce. Each family will receive $83 worth of fresh and nutritious groceries at each visit.
• Breastfeeding Support Programs: (1) Melanin Mommas Support Group and Breastfeeding Peer Counseling programs include emotional support, lactation assistance, patient advocacy, education, virtual support, 1:1 support in the home and office, delivery of essential supplies, and group events; (2) Melanin Dads Support Group
• Milk Share: Malone Community Center facilitates informed-consent milk sharing in the Lincoln and Omaha areas.

​​El Centro de las Americas provides free family support for the Hispanic/Latino community. Location, phone:  210 O St., (402) 474-3950.  El Centro provides:

• Help with navigating community resources and
  referrals to health providers.
• Help with applications for Medicaid, Aid to
  Dependent Children (DAC), nutrition programs
  like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
  Program).
• Education and support for vaccination programs.

Asian Community and Cultural Center provides free family support for immigrants and refugees from Asian, Middle Eastern, and African countries, and the Ukraine.  For new mothers, trained Community Breastfeeding Educators provide peer counseling support services.

The Asian Center also provides health assistance to clients who are low income and have no health insurance or a regular doctor to access health care services. Through their Health Education & Advocacy Program, trained Community Health Workers (CHW) provide chronic disease management assistance, case management, and educational programming, including nutrition and exercise. CHWs can assist clients with setting up clinic appointments.  Location, phone: 144 N. 44th St., (402) 477-3446

Perinatal Depression

Pregnancy and the period after delivery can be a particularly vulnerable time. Mothers often experience biological, emotional, financial, and social changes during this time.  Up to 85% of all new mothers experience the “baby blues,” a short-lasting condition that does not interfere with daily activities and does not require medical attention. But if you are anxious, speak to your healthcare provider about your feelings.

Perinatal depression is different from the “baby blues” in that it is emotionally and physically debilitating and may continue for months or more. Getting treatment is important for both the mother and the child.  If you are feeling worried, anxious or depressed before or after your delivery, you are not alone, and there is help.  Download a list of perinatal depression counseling resources in Lincoln.

Newborn Needs, Transportation Services

Center for People  Eligible parents can collect diapers for infants through 36 months during regular People’s Pantry hours.
Location, phone, days, times: 3901 N. 27th St., (402) 476-4357, M–Th 9am to 12 noon and Fri. 1pm to 4pm.

Catholic Social Services offers blankets, diapers, and baby formula to walk-in clients at their downtown facility:
Location, phone, days and times:  2241 O St., (402) 474-6000, M-Th 9am to 12 noon, 1pm - 4 pm, and Fri. 9am to 12 noon.  View all family support services.

Good Neighbor Community Center (GNCC) offers diapers in sizes 1 to 5 once per month for each child in the family. Wipes are also available and can be requested when obtaining diapers.  GNCC also hosts a Maternal Support Group to provide a secure and supportive environment for mothers to share knowledge, practical assistance, and emotional connections. Location, phone, days, times: 2617 Y St., (402) 477-4173, M -Th, 9am - 4pm, and Fri. 9am - 12 noon

Transportation 

• Nebraska’s Medicaid manager, Heritage Health, delivers health services to pregnant and new moms enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP through three different organizations, Nebraska Total Care;  United Healthcare; and Molina Healthcare.  Each organization offers a specific number of non-emergency rides to healthcare appointments. 
• StarTran  Reduced price bus passes are available for those who meet the income guidelines. Children under 4 years old ride free.  Passes may be purchased at these locations.
• VANLNK StarTran On-Demand Services Offers same day service only. Cost $5 per trip. Trips scheduled and paid for via smart phone
  app: download - VANLNK. May share ride with one other person.
• Matt Talbot Gasoline vouchers are available the first business day of every month at 8:30 AM on a first come, first served basis. Vouchers are valued at $20 and each licensed driver is eligible once every six months. Driver must be present, have proof of insurance, a valid driver’s license and current registration.
• Ponca Express provides free roundtrip medical appointment transportation services for anyone in need, Monday – Friday 8am to 4:30pm.

New Mom, Newborn Support Visitation Programs

Healthy Families America-Lincoln is a free and voluntary home health visitation program to support families in the first year after a child is born.  Home visitation services are provided in your home or at another location in the community. Families qualify if they live in Lancaster County and are expecting a baby or have a baby less than 3 months old. The program provides support from public health nurses, outreach specialists, and family partners to help with:

• breastfeeding support and education
• raising healthy and smart babies
• teaching families how to create strong bonds with their kids, and
• build parenting confidence.

For more information or to sign up, make an appointment at the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) 3131 O St., Lincoln, during their office hours, M-F 8am - 4:30pm (402) 441-8065 or (402) 441-4103 (please leave a message).

LLCHD Family Connects Program Family Connects is a universal newborn home visiting program in Lincoln-Lancaster County that provides a home visit by a Registered Nurse following your hospital stay. Nurses listen and answer questions and provide support and resources for families to get their children off to a healthy start. All families with a newborn who live in Lancaster County are eligible for a Family Connects visit.  Nurse visits occur 3 weeks after baby is born. 

Some of the key areas covered in a visit include:

• Head-to-toe health assessment for baby
• Postpartum health assessment for mom
• Breastfeeding support
• Education and guidance about topics relevant to all newborns and maternal needs
• Assistance with connecting to a medical home and/or scheduling routine care visits
• Connections to services and resources around our community as needed

Office Hours:     By Appointment Only - M-F 8am - 4:30pm 
Location:           Home visitation services are provided in the home or at another location in the community.
Telephone:        (402) 441-4433