Healthy Families in Queen Anne's County follows the Healthy Families America (HFA) model. HFA is the signature program of Prevent Child Abuse America. HFA is designed for parents confronting challenges such as low income, childhood history of abuse, domestic violence, mental health issues, and addictions. Many of these conditions are known to the currently or formerly incarcerated parents.
Based on findings from the 2016 needs assessment, Queen Anne's County Local Management Board chose to build upon the existing home visiting model of Health Families and use the framework to serve at least 30 families with the following eligibility criteria: 1) children ages 0-5 with parents who are currently or were formerly incarcerated.
Healthy Families professionals coordinate with existing early childhood services such as the Family Support Center, Headstart, the Judy Center, and the Health Department to leverage as many resources as are needed by first time parents. Home visiting is a key component to Healthy Families and this allows the home visiting nurse to effectively assess needs, support optimal childhood development and mobilize outside resources. Healthy Families is currently the only home visiting program in the county for young families.
Targeted population are Opportunity Youth pre/postnatal and have children under the age of five. Additionally, families with children under the age of five that are affected by a loved one's incarceration.
Healthy Families in Queen Anne's County follows the Healthy Families America (HFA) model. HFA is the signature program of Prevent Child Abuse America.
High on the list of sub-strategies is encouraging parents to complete their GED, attend vocational training or college, and/or find viable employment.