CHI - St. Joseph's Health - MN

"My daughter would not be as content if I hadn't learned the skills that my Healthy Families, Happy Homes Visitor has taught me." JEZZIRAE, MOM OF 13MONTHOLD ARIA T he Healthy Families, Happy Homes program, federally and state funded through Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting, focuses on establishing a strong family foundation for our tiniest community members by providing new families access to health resources dedicated to establishing strong family bonds and well-being. Through biweekly, in-home visits, public health nurses and other trained staff members from Healthy Families, Happy Homes visit with expectant and new parents with the goal of strengthening family bonds through health education and child development services. "We assess children and share information with new parents about basic child care, brain development, play, stimulation, social and emotional development, and cues and communication," says Amy Morris, PHN, Family Home Visiting Supervisor for Healthy Families, Happy Homes at CHI St. Joseph's Health. "We offer resources that promote the parent-child relationships that are so essential to healthy, happy futures for kids." A trained Home Visitor offers the following support and resources to families in their homes: Support during pregnancy and early years of parenting Ideas about how to care for and play with the new baby Information that will let parents know if the baby is growing and developing at an expected rate Help to create a safe and caring home for the child COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY Part of what makes the Healthy Families, Happy Homes program so beneficial is that it's achieved through building relationships—the program staff members build a relationship with the parents, and in turn, parents build a relationship with their children. From nutritional assessments and education to appointment planning and preventive care, the program takes a holistic approach to developing family units focused on staying healthy together. "Our program is truly effective because it's based on family strengths," Morris says. "The curriculum we use identifies these areas of family strength and sets goals for growth. The program isn't about individual success; rather, it's about the success of an entire family—now and into the future." This unique program is free for participants. For more information about the Healthy Families, Happy Homes program, contact Amy Morris in Community Health at 218.255.1259. OUR GOAL: Helping families develop the knowledge, skills, and condence to meet the unique needs of their babies. Healthy Families, Happy Homes CHI St. Joseph's Health is pleased to offer Healthy Families, Happy Homes—a Community Health Services program that's nurturing relationships between new parents and their babies in Hubbard and the surrounding counties. CHI St. Joseph's Health | www.CHISJH.org 4

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