As part of our commitment to preventive health measures, we have developed special community health initiatives. These initiatives are designed to educate the community about issues affecting our health, right here at home.
Learn more about our community outreach efforts
Our programs
Having a baby when you are a teenager can be very difficult for you, as well as for your friends, family and father of the baby. Whether the baby is planned or unplanned, teen mothers face a number of health risks during and after pregnancy. Hand-in-Hand is a program for those 19 years of age or younger.
The Hand-in-Hand Resource Mothers Program is here to help.
We will:
- Provide transportation to medical appointments.
- Help you figure out how to get the things you need for you and your baby, like child care, Medicaid, Clothes, Diapers, Wipes etc.
- Help with the day-to-day challenges that you may face.
- Show you how to navigate and balance being a new mom.
- Help you understand how your baby will be growing and developing.
- Invite you to our support groups so you can talk with other teen moms
- Offer support, guidance and encouragement through pregnancy and the child's first year of life.
Support groups
Hand-in-Hand Resource Mothers Teen Pregnancy Support Group enables you to share with peers and receive education on pregnancy and parenting. Join us for our monthly support group meetings for pregnant teens and teen mothers.
Bring your baby and enjoy meeting new people who are facing the same challenges you may be. The group offers support, education and answers to your questions.
Dads, or another support person, are welcome too.
For more information, please call 540-564-7151.
Location: Sentara RMH Atrium, 2000 Beery Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: 540-564-5661
Email: NBGARCIA@sentara.com
Healthy Families of the Blue Ridge is a voluntary program that helps first-time parents learn about how children develop, how to keep children healthy, and how to prepare children to do well in school.
We provide:
- Home visits
- Parent socials
- A toy-lending library for participants
- Child development information
- Information on other sources of support for parents
The first and most important teachers in every child's life are his or her parents. We work with other programs in the community to make sure that parents have what they need to support their child's health, growth and development from birth to five years of age.
What is home visitation?
Families who are offered home visitation are matched with a family support worker who will come to the family's home to talk about:
- Caring for mother and baby
- Learning what to expect as the baby grows
- Communicating with the baby
- Finding a medical provider and healthcare resources for child and family
- Creating an exciting and safe home where the baby can grow and learn
Who can be a part of Healthy Families?
First-time parents living in Augusta, Bath, Highland and Rockingham counties and the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton and Waynesboro are eligible to apply.
First-time parents may apply before their baby is born, or up to three months after their baby's birth.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. All our services are free and completely voluntary.
How do I become a part of Healthy Families?
The doctor or nurse midwife you are seeing for prenatal care will likely tell you about the program. If not, ask him or her to complete the forms for Healthy Families.
After receiving the forms from your physician/midwife, a Healthy Families staff member will call you to schedule your first home visit.
If the program fits your needs, your family support worker will begin meeting with you in your home or other convenient location.
Healthy Families receives funding and support from:
- Sentara RMH Medical Center
- Augusta Medical Center
- Blue Ridge Area Health Education Consortium
- Central Shenandoah Health District
- Maternal & Child Health Bureau Community Integrated Service System Program
- Prevent Child Abuse Virginia
- Virginia General Assembly
- United Way
If you would like more information, please call 540-564-5661 or email nbgarcia@sentara.com.
Take steps to prevent diabetes and heart disease by making healthy food choices, losing a small amount of weight and moving more every day. Find ways to keep calm during your day to lower your stress.
This information is intended for individuals who are 18 years and older only and those living in the Sentara service areas.
Designed by a registered dietitian nutritionist, Eating for Life gives you the knowledge and skills to eat the right amount and right variety of foods to promote good health. It is based on the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA MyPlate food guidance system.
The video chapters include topics:
- Getting started with a healthy eating plan
- Reduce sodium intake
- Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats
- Grocery shopping
- Reading food labels
Learn more about healthy eating from the Eating for Life program.
At Sentara, we believe that care should extend beyond the physical aspect of treating a disease. That’s why we provide a variety of support groups to help patients and their families cope with the emotional and mental strain that an illness can cause.
These free services are available to patients and families dealing with cancer, stroke, diabetes and many other illnesses. Our support groups meet at convenient times and locations throughout Virginia.
View support groups
Most of us know that it’s important to exercise regularly. But it can be difficult to find the time to fit exercise into our schedules. To address this problem, Sentara is pleased to offer the MoveAbout program.
Being physically active is one of the most important ways to improve your health. The MoveAbout program is designed to assist you in your journey to become more active and stay healthy by using different types of physical activity to achieve a goal of 150 minutes of moderate activity each week.
This information is intended for individuals who are 18 years and older only and those living in the Sentara service areas.
Tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke remain the leading causes of preventable illness and death in the United States. Life expectancy for smokers is 10 years shorter than for non-smokers. Secondhand smoke kills more than 41,000 people annually in the United States. (CDC, 2021.)
Ready to quit?
Sentara Health Plans designed a free tobacco cessation program called "Stay Smokeless for Life." It is a self-paced program created to help tobacco and electronic cigarette users quit. It teaches about the nature of nicotine addiction and effective ways to control dependency and addiction through a video library and toolkit. Access the library, toolkit and additional tobacco cessation resources.
This information is intended for individuals who are 18 years and older only and those living in the Sentara service areas.