Healthy Families America is a national initiative
of Prevent Child Abuse America that promotes positive parenting and child development,
thereby
preventing child abuse and neglect and improving overall maternal and child health.
This initiative is based on a set of critical elements, defined by more than
20 years
of research. The critical elements of Healthy Families represent the field's
most current knowledge about how to implement successful home visitations programs.
We know that to be
successful, programs must be intensive (meeting with families on a regular basis),
comprehensive (addressing a range of issues related to parenting and other potentially
stressful issues), long-term (over a 3-4 year period), flexible (in responding
to a family's needs), and culturally appropriate (understanding and working within
a family's
cultural norms).
The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District is the host agency for Healthy Families Orange, Healthy Families Madison, Healthy Families Rappahannock and Healthy Families Fauquier. These four Healthy Families sites are housed in the respective county's Health Department office. The Health District assumed the administration of Healthy Families Orange in 1999. Community stakeholders in Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock counties met soon thereafter and agreed that Healthy Families programs were needed and desired in their communities as well. In addition to the in-kind support provided by the Health District, Healthy Families programs are also supported with public and private funds. The Piedmont United Way has provided vital support to ensure the viability of Healthy Families in all of our communities. We believe that today's investment in our young children will result in healthier families and communities tomorrow.
Written by: Kathy Wright
Published: Fall 2003