Hands
What is the HANDS Program?
The Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program is a voluntary home visitation program for expectant parents. Families begin by meeting with a HANDS Parent Visitor who will discuss any questions or concerns about pregnancy or a baby’s first years. Based on the discussion, all families will receive information and learn about resources available in the community for new parents. Some families will receive further support through home visitation. That’s right, information brought right to the home.
Who Can Participate?
The HANDS program is available to both first time moms and dads, as well as families with more than one child.
When do HAND Services Begin?
Services can begin during pregnancy or anytime before a child is 3 months old.
What are the main goals of HANDS?
- Healthy pregnancies and births
- Healthy child growth and development
- Healthy, safe homes
- Self-sufficient families
Why participate in HANDS?
- Parents are the most important people in a baby’s life.
- Parents are the first and most important teachers a child will ever have.
- Parenting is a very demanding job and all parents have worries, questions and stress.
What Can Parents Expect?
- Support through your pregnancy and the early years of your baby’s life
- Ways to make your home safer for your baby
- Information on how to care for your baby
- Facts that will let you know your baby is growing and developing in healthy ways
- Activities that you and your baby can enjoy together that can stimulate your child’s brain development
- Access to other community services
How does the program work?
In the prenatal period the family is screened after a referral is made. This referral can be made by the doctor’s office, the health department, your church, friends or family. A trained home visitor will visit your home to introduce parenting skill development in areas such as recognizing your baby’s needs, what to expect as your baby grows, making your home safe, etc. The frequency of visits will be determined by the family’s needs.
HANDS Believes:
- All families have strengths.
- Families are responsible for their children.
- Families are the primary decision makers regarding their children.
- Communities recognize their roles in children’s lives.
- Communities recognize that all children must succeed.
- Prevention and early intervention improves community well-being.
- Public and private partnerships are vital to a successful program.
Contact us for more information.