The birth of a child can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Healthy Families is a free, voluntary program offering support to first-time parents of all socio-economic levels. Information and support is available to all new parents, while overburdened families are offered a home visitor for up to five years.

The goal of Healthy Families is to ensure that each child has the best possible start in life, and enters school ready to learn. This local program is based on a national model which has proven effective in preventing child abuse and neglect.

Healthy Families will link families with various local programs and services to build on existing resources and avoid duplication.

Did you realize . . . ?

• Most child abuse is committed in the home by persons known and trusted by the child.
• 1996 approximately 3 million children in the U.S. reported suspected child abuse/neglect and nearly 1,100 cases were child abuse fatalities.
• Approximately 75% of children who die from abuse are under age three.

FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER

A key element of Healthy Families is home visitation services by a trained Family Support Worker to address:

• Child development, health, nutrition, parent-child interaction and discipline.
• Issues impacting family functioning, such as substance abuse, unemployment, and mental illness.
• Family referrals to existing resources and services.
• Education and modeling to promote nurturing relationships.

PROACTIVE APPROACH

Most community systems were designed to serve families after problems occur. This is costly and does not result in full recovery, as most initial damage to children occurs
in the first five years of life.

• Healthy Families is initiated before undesirable parenting patterns are established.
• Money spent on prevention will save the money required to treat, rehabilitate and/or confine affected children.

WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED?

• Assessment and evaluation
• Parenting information
• Link to a health care provider and preventive health care
• Referral and coordination with other community programs
• Parent-to-parent discussion groups
• In-home parent education and support services with long-term case management (birth to 5 years)

PROVEN RESULTS

Families participating in Healthy Families in other Virginia sites have resulted in:

• No abuse/neglect in 99% of families.
• Over 90% of first-time teen mothers have not had repeat pregnancies.
• For every $3.00 spent, $7.00 is saved in the cost of welfare, special education, counseling and housing of juvenile offenders.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

Healthy Families Rappahannock Area was developed through the participation of stakeholders in Planning District 16, including:

     Rappahannock Area Health District*
     Mary Washington Hospital*
     Rappahannock Area Community Services Board*
     Social Services
     Office on Youth
     Central Rappahannock Regional Library
     Caroline County Library
     Head Start
     Mental Health Association
     Germanna Community College
     Programs for Teen Parents
     Project LINK
     Parent Education Infant Development Program
     Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter
     Virginia Cooperative Extension
     Quin Rivers Agency for Community Action
     Regional Mobile Health Center
     United Way
     RCASA and RACCAP
     Fredericksburg Public Schools
     Rappahannock Area Health Advisory

*Major funding provided by these agencies

Start-up funding provided by a Mary Washington Hospital Foundation grant. Continued funding provided by state, local and grant funding. The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board serves as the host agency.