The Healthy Families America (HFA) model is based on more than 30 years of research, to reduce incidents of child abuse and neglect by increasing positive parenting, improving maternal and child health outcomes, and shaping healthy families that nurture and grow healthy children. There are several factors that make the Healthy Families America model unique. One is HFA’s philosophy to swim up-strea
m and identify risk factors that may impede or damage a child’s development. By identifying risks in parents who are early in the stages of childrearing, before negative behaviors occur, and providing them with in-home services. The second is ALL services are provided within the family’s home. In-home visits provide the opportunity to engage the family on “their turf” and experience the family’s living environment to develop first-hand knowledge of the strengths and stresses. Lastly, HFA services are comprehensive and long term. Families can remain in the program up to five years or until the child’s entry into preschool or kindergarten. This gives the home visitor a chance to gain the trust and confidence of families in order to help address stressors. HFA understands not all needs can be addressed within 60 to 90 days so offering long-term support gives families the chance to make lasting changes through real life skill development with the guidance of their home visitor. Families can be identified and referred to the program through the local hospitals or county health departments. Families who screen positive are offered a one-time home assessment by a Family Resource Specialist, focusing on helping parents see their strengths and needs, and addressing risk factors within the family, including childhood history, mental health problems, substance use/abuse, coping skills, negative discipline, support systems, unrealistic expectations, and CPS involvement. Families are connected to community resources to impact such areas as:
• Immediate needs: mental health, developmental delays, domestic violence, financial assistance, baby supplies, etc.
• Family stability: paternity, child support, employment training, housing, counseling, etc. They also receive child development materials, hotline numbers, and free baby supplies whether or not they choose to participate in the home visiting component. Families that agree to the in-home component receive weekly 1-hour visits with a Family Support Worker. Visits can begin prenatally or around the time of the child’s birth and may continue until the child enters preschool or kindergarten or turns five years old. The goal of the visits is to promote positive parent-child interaction, healthy childhood growth and development, and enhance family functioning. The focus during home visits may include, but are not limited to:
PROMOTION OF HEALTHY CHILDHOOD GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT:
• Child development milestones and screenings
• Child health & safety,
• Parenting skills (discipline, weaning, etc.)
• Access to health care (well-child check-ups, immunizations)
• School readiness
• Linkage to appropriate early intervention services
ENHANCEMENT OF FAMILY FUNCTIONING:
• Trust-building and relationship development
• Strength-based strategies to support family well-being and improved self-sufficiency
• Identifying and building on parental capacity
• Family goals
• Building protective factors
• Coping and problem-solving skills
• Home management and life skills
• Linkage to appropriate community resources (e.g., food stamps, employment, education)
• Reduction of challenging issues (e.g., substance abuse, domestic violence)
• Reduction of social isolation
• Self -advocacy
