The mission of Healthy Families of LaPorte County is to support new parents and empower them to be the best parents they can be.

In an effort to accomplish our mission, the following goals are supported:

To systematically assess parents in order to identify their strengths and needs then refer them to community resources.
To enhance family functioning by building trust, establishing support and teaching problem-solving skills.
To promote positive parent-child interaction.
To promote healthy child growth and development.

Healthy Families of LaPorte County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin or ancestry.

Why Healthy Families?

Because parents are the most important people in a baby's life.
Because parenting is a very demanding job and all parents have worries, questions and lots of stress.
Because parents are the first and most important teachers a child will have.

Healthy Families LaPorte County Believes:

Parenting is the toughest, yet most important and rewarding, job anyone will ever have.
All parents need support and encouragement as they care for their children.
All families have strengths. Building upon those strengths allow families to make positive changes in their lives.
Preventing problems now is better than trying to fix them later. This is especially true when it comes to our children.

What Can I Expect From Healthy Families?

If you voluntarily agree to participate in Healthy Families of LaPorte County, a Family Resource Specialist will visit you in your home to help you become aware of the resources available to you in the community and determine if you would benefit from our on-going home visiting service.

What is a Family Support Specialist?

A qualified individual who is trained to help you with questions and problems you may have.
As an individual experienced with children, they understand the questions and the stress that accompany parenting.
They can offer addition information and support on daily stresses and life circumstances that may affect you.

How Long Will Our Family Support Specialist Stay With Us?

Your Family Support Specialist may visit and offer support to your family until your child turns five!

What Can My Family Support Specialist Do For My Baby?

You Family Support Specialist will offer practical information on:

Encouraging normal development in your baby.
Recognizing you baby's needs.
Caring for your baby's needs and still managing to take care of yourself.
What to expect as your baby grows.
Making your home "baby safe."

What Can My Family Support Specialist Offer Me?

Additional information and support on issues such as:

Ways to continue your education.
Budgeting and finances.
Child growth and development.
Effective discipline for your child.
Bonding with your baby.
Community resources and services.

What Can Healthy Families Home Visiting Program Offer Me?

All home visiting services are offered on a voluntary basis and are free of charge to your family.

Periodic screening to ensure that your child does not have any undetected learning, sensory (hearing and vision) or development problems.
Linkage to parenting classes and other community resources and services.
Regular personalized home visits by a certified parent educator who offers timely information on child development and ways to encourage learning.