Children First’s Healthy Families is part of a statewide program that offers home visiting services to families of newborns. Services are provided at no cost to families who choose to participate.

Parents typically receive weekly home visits by a Family Support Worker during their infant’s first six months. As the baby gets older, visits are offered bi-weekly or monthly and can continue until the child is five years of age. 

Home visits include:

• Identifying infant and child needs
• Tracking growth and development
• Activities for healthy parent-child interaction
• Early Literacy Activities 
• Parenting ideas and techniques for various ages and stages
• Referrals to community resources and programs

Healthy Families is introduced to new parents while they are in the hospital for the birth of their child. Once they have returned to their home, parents who indicated an interest in the program will receive a “Welcome Baby” visit from a Healthy Families representative. Families who choose to enroll in home visiting services will then be connected with a Family Support Worker who will establish weekly visits. The following quotes are statements from Healthy Families participants:

• It’s helped me as a person to become a better parent.
• We understand now how our daughter is supposed to grow and develop.
• I love the games for baby. I want to do all I can for brain development.
• My Family Support Worker has instilled more confidence in me as a parent.
• It gives me someone to talk to when I need it.
• This program answers my questions and helps my family.

Prenatal Home Visits

Another opportunity within Healthy Families begins prenatally. Home visits are available, beginning at the fourth month of pregnancy, to provide support and information for a safe, healthy preparation period for both mother and baby.

During monthly home visits, the focus is on shaping a healthy start for the pregnant mother and her developing baby. Understanding and preparing for the numerous changes that take place, for mother and baby, can be reassuring and helpful. Taking the steps during this time to prepare a safe, nurturing environment for the baby’s arrival can make the first weeks and months, after birth, easier for both the new baby and the family.

For further information about Healthy Familes, or to make a referral, please contact our office at 260.925.3865, toll-free at 800.824-2698 or email neihf@childrenfirstcenter.org.