HANDS
HANDS (Health Access Nurturing Development Services) is a voluntary home visiting program for Kentucky's first-time
parents and their babies, regardless of income. As many as 10,000
babies are born in Kentucky every year to first-time parents. HANDS
offers new families a place to turn for help to become the best parents
possible.
HANDS Goals:
- Positive pregnancy outcomes
- Optimal child growth and development
- Children living in healthy, safe homes
- Families making decisions that enhance long-term independence over meeting short term or immediate needs
HANDS Believes:
- All families have strengths
- All families want the best for their children
- Families are responsible for their children
- Families are the primary decision makers regarding their children
- All children can succeed
How does the HANDS program work?
All families receive gift cards, information and learn about resources
available in the community for new parents. Some families receive
further support through home visitation. In the prenatal period the
family is screened after a referral is made. This referral can be made
by the doctor's office, health department, church, friends or even the
family themselves. A trained home visitor will then visit their home to
introduce parenting skill development in areas such as: recognizing
baby's needs, what to expect as the baby grows, making the home safe,
social and emotional development, brain development and play and
stimulation. The frequency of visits is determined by the family needs
and wants. Parents are the most important, influential teachers in a
baby's life. Parenting can be very demanding under the best of
circumstances and all new parents have concerns and questions. Be
prepared! Any first-time parent or newborn child is eligible for home
visitation services. We encourage first time parents to start with
HANDS at the beginning of their pregnancy. There are no income
guidelines and no charge for the service. Call Allen County Health
Department at 270-237-4423 and ask for Annette if you need further
information or to make a referral. "Every new parent needs an extra
pair of HANDS!
The
Allen County Health Department HANDS Program has activities that you can implement with your children. Click on the link below to access the activities.