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 first-time 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 is a collaboration of Dunebrook-Prevent Child Abuse
LaPorte County and Barker Woods Enrichment Center.
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.
Parents
