THE HEALTHY FAMILIES
program is a voluntary, home visitation service, designed to promote healthy childhood growth and development. To help prevent abuse and neglect, we work one-on-one with families, teaching appropriate parent-child interaction.
To help parents of newborn children, Healthy Families enrolls parents during pregnancy or immediately after the birth of their child. We begin with weekly, one-on-one, in-home services with trained family support workers. Families can even remain in the program for up to five years.
The Healthy Families program:
Promotes positive parent child interaction through activities and curriculum.
Provides information on child development and age-appropriate expectations of children.
Assists parents in building a strong network of support from family, neighbors and churches.
Helps parents develop budgeting, time-management, and stress-management skills to better balance parenting and home-management.
Refers to Parent Support Groups.
Links families to physicians for timely immunizations and well-child care.
Families also may be referred to programs for financial aide, food and housing help, school-readiness, childcare, job training, substance-abuse treatment and domestic violence shelters.
Healthy Families services are provided without cost to program enrollees! Program funding comes from, the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration, Vanderburgh County Office of Family & Children and the United Way of Southwestern Indiana.
If you would like additional information on Healthy Families, call 423-5816 or email one of the following program coordinators:
To promote supportive environments that optimize child growth and development and encourage resilient, healthy families.
OUTCOME MEASURES*
80% of all participants will have a designated medical home.
80% of all target children will have regular well-baby check-ups with up-to-date immunizations.
90% of target children with identified developmental delays will receive remedial services.
70% of all participant families will have a least one parent employed or in school/training.
* The above outcomes align closely with the following community needs as identified by the United Way of Southwestern Indiana. (a.) Child abuse/neglect prevention, (b.) Successful teen parenting, (c.) Increase positive outcomes for single parents, (d.) Reduce financial dependency.
Carla, a single mom, knew 3 months before her baby was born that she was going to have severe birth defects. She contemplated abortion, but then decided against it. The baby was not expected to live even a few days. However, she has beaten the odds and is now almost 3 years old. Repeated hospitalizations, surgeries, and special care at home all have worked to ensure not only her survival but also thriving and progressing in ways that have astonished the medical community. When extended, out-of-town hospital stays were necessary, HFI sites collaborated to provide, support, referrals, advocacy, and guidance. Carla estimates that a minimum of 20 community agencies/services have assisted her family in their quest for health and happiness. She credits HF with educating her about available services and encouraging her to access them. Carla is committed to continued HF participation. Both mother and child continue to make exceptional progress in health, personal, and family functioning.
Quotables:
"If I have questions, my family support worker knows the answer or she can find the answer for me."
"I love the activities my family support worker brings for my child that we do together."
"I appreciate the emotional support and the listening ear of my family support worker."
