We are in the process of getting Healthy Families America ...

?by Jennifer Sunseri, Cope Online Organizing Intern?

What is?Healthy Families America (HFA) and what will becoming accredited mean for Cope Family Center? HFA?is ?an evidence-based, nationally recognized Home Visiting Program model designed to work with overburdened families who are at-risk for child abuse and neglect and other adverse childhood experiences? (Healthy Families America). Our?mission is to prevent child abuse, and the HFA model for Home Visitation is the most cutting-edge and effective model to promote optimal long-term mental and physical health of parents and their children.

We have?offered?our Home Visitation Program for many years, so what will change? Primarily this means we will refocus our attention to the most at-risk families (expectant parents and parents of newborns). Parents will be assessed to determine their eligibility based on their history of trauma, intimate partner violence, and mental health and/or substance abuse,?criteria based on the?Adverse Childhood Experiences?scale. ?This criteria will apply to the HFA portion of our Home Visitation program only. We will continue to serve all families, regardless of income or any other criteria, through our Drop-in Crisis program, our Resource & Referral services, parenting classes, support groups, and limited Home Visitation?intervention case management.

HFA services are?initiated?prenatally or 3 months after birth and a Home Visitor continues to work with a family from 3-5 years. It is important to initiate prevention services during this time because of the adverse effects of maltreatment on the brain development of very young children. ?Children, most notably babies, are at risk for attachment disorder and malnutrition from neglect as well as a range of cognitive impairments.?If exposed to abuse during this time, a child?s brain is ?hardwired? for survival, not for higher brain functions like compassion and rational thinking. Early, nurturing relationships are the foundation for life-long healthy development.?Focusing on working with families early is an investment in the future of our community.

What it?s like to participate in the Home Visitation program: Participation is totally voluntary. Home Visitors support parents in reaching their goals for their family and work with them to build skills ?to deal with crisis effectively.?The Home Visitor works collaboratively with the family to promote positive parenting, offer education, modeling, role-playing and other activities that help parents to develop healthy attitudes towards parenting and increase sensitivity, responsiveness and nurturing towards their children. Home Visitation is the most successful model for the prevention of child abuse and promoting optimal mental and physical health for parents and their children. Learn more about our Home Visitation Program and read some success stories from parents like Miguel, a single dad who needed some extra support.

What are your thoughts about these improvements to our Home Visitation Program? Please comment here and let us know!

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Posted by copevolunteer on June 8, 2012

http://copefamilycenter.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/we-are-in-the-process-of-getting-healthy-families-america-accreditation/

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