Frequently Asked Questions about the HANDS Program:

 

What does the HANDS home visitation program do?

• Reaches out to all parents during the prenatal period or within 90 days after the birth of the child.

• Trained parent visitors talk with families and review ten topic areas that help link parents with community services that best fit their strengths, values and individual needs.

• Parents who desire can receive information to make things go as smoothly as possible with a new child.

• A trained home visitor will visit your home weekly to introduce parenting skill development in areas such as recognizing your baby’s needs, what to expect as your baby grows, making your home safe, etc. As families progress through the program, the frequency of visits are determined by the family's needs.

 

What services do home visitors provide? ·

• Home inventory and child-proofing checklist

• Ages and Stages Questionnaire to determine need for First Steps

• Depression and Domestic Violence Screening

• Educate families about the stages of healthy development

• Assist families in identifying their baby’s needs and available resources (clothing, food, furniture)

 

How does home visiting support families?

• Home visitors are non-judgmental, flexible, and respect the values and beliefs of the communities and families they serve

• Ongoing Home Visitors build on the existing strengths in the family and provide information and referral to community resources

• The goal of the Ongoing Home Visitor is to empower families to make their own decisions

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Are the services voluntary?

• Yes! Home visiting services are provided to introduce parenting skill development in areas such as recognizing your baby’s needs, what to expect as your baby grows, making your home safe, etc. As families progress through the program, the frequency of visits are determined by the family's needs.

• Parents may choose to leave the program at anytime

• There is no penalty for choosing not to participate in the program.

 

Are records kept confidential? 

Yes.

 

What about education and training of workers? ·

• Workers have education and/or experience and training in health and child development disciplines.

• Workers  are provided a nationally recognized curriculum and evidence-based training to assist them in  serving HANDS families.

• Workers are trained to deliver culturally competent support that overcomes barriers and demonstrates respect for cultural, linguistic, ethnic and geographic diversity.

• Parent consultation is completed with the family by professional staff.

• Professional or paraprofessional staff completes home visiting. Ongoing Home Visitors work in partnership with families to support positive parenting.

 

Do home visiting programs create government dependency?

No. Home visiting programs connect families with vital community resources to promote and encourage self-sufficiency.