Healthy Families Indiana Offers Free, In-home Parent Education
May 2, 2007
| By Leslie Olsen
INDIANAPOLIS - In the best of circumstances, parenthood can be overwhelming, especially for first time moms and dads. So there is a free, in-home parent education and child development program that is available just for the asking.
"Can Mommy have a turn?" asked Jane Daw, parent educator and social worker.
Two-year-old Josiah is learning to share. Daw said Josiah's development is right on target though his speech might be a bit delayed. Daw has been making weekly visits to Tamara Woodsmall's Greenfield home since Josiah's birth. She visits about 20 families a week through her job with "Healthy Families Indiana."
The Families and Social Services Agency administers the program, but it is funded through federal dollars and local grants. Any pregnant Indiana woman or parents of a newborn are entitled to one free visit that could turn into five years of services.
"I was really insecure. I'm always worried about whether I'm doing the right thing or not," Woodsmall said.
Woodsmall is a single mother of five. She felt she needed guidance when the last two came along.
"I would recommend it because there is just so much knowledge that they can give you and if there's any resources that you need, if you're having trouble financially, or you need clothing for your children, they can put you in the direction you need to go," Woodsmall said.
Hancock County Healthy Families site supervisor Rachel Colclazier says the free, voluntary program is an effort to reduce child abuse and neglect, childhood health problems and juvenile delinquency.
"The thought that if a parent is better educated about child development and parenting, then they're just going to be better parents all the way around," said Colclazier.
There are 52 sites that serve families in all 92 Indiana counties. Referrals for the program come from hospitals, welfare programs and other social service providers, but it is not a program just for low income families.
View Article Source and Video from WISH TV: Click Here
More on the web: Healthy Families Indiana
« Back to Press Materials
| 
 |
