Healthy Start/Healthy Families
A proven child abuse prevention program offering voluntary screening and information for first time parents; and support and parenting education through weekly home visits for families at risk
Healthy Start/Healthy Families utilizes an evidence-based approach to reduce risk factors for child abuse and to improve children’s healthy outcomes and school readiness. English, Spanish and Russian-speaking Family Support Workers are certified Parent Educators. They deliver culturally-sensitive services in weekly home visits from birth to age three, allowing long-term mentoring relationships to form. Children are screened for developmental milestones at regular intervals and referred for additional supports when needed.
Ongoing monitoring of the program by an outside evaluation team, NPC Research, continues to show that the Healthy Start program is not only preventing child abuse but supporting and improving the health, education and well-being of the whole family.
The Healthy Start/Healthy Families program is administered through collaboration with Catholic Community Services and our community partners, Family Building Blocks, Easter Seals Children Therapy Center and Marion County Commission on Children & Families.
Click here to watch a Healthy Start/Healthy Families success story.
Customer Base Profile:
Gender: Male/Female
Age: First time parents of children 0-3 years
Maximum Capacity: 300 families
Referral Process:
Phone: (503) 362-3138
Referrals are made through staff/volunteer contact at hospitals, phone contact, professional referral, or self-refer.
Self Referral Forms: English [click here], Spanish [click here]
Funding Sources:
Marion County Children & Families Commission
Foundation Grants
Private Donors
Nationally accredited:
Healthy Families America
Council on Accreditation