Protecting our Children: Pinal County Healthy Families Program reduces risks

More than 406 children have a healthier future because their mother or father took advantage of the Pinal County Health District’s Healthy Families Program.

The Healthy Families Program served 207 families with 406 children in the household in 2007.

The program is a successful, voluntary program serving families at risk during pregnancy and after the birth of a baby. Over the years, Pinal County has expanded the program to reach even more families, including those who live on the reservations.

The Healthy Families Program strengthens families during the first five years of a child’s life, when most early brain development occurs. Highly-trained home visitors help mentor families that have risk factors such as domestic violence, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, financial strains or other barriers to healthy lifestyles.

The goal is to help families attain their goals of becoming protective and nurturing parents. Services include:

Child development
Nutrition and safety education
Childhood immunizations
Coaching on appropriate parent-child interaction
Effective, acceptable forms of discipline
Encouraging self-sufficiency through education and employment
Emotional support for parents
Referrals to specialists for children with developmental delays
Linking families with community services, such as health care, child care and housing

For more than a decade, annual evaluations have shown the effectiveness of the statewide program, which is funded by the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Indicators in child and health development have demonstrated that children in the program have an 88 percent immunization rate at 18 months of age, compared to 79 percent for t2-year-olds in the state and 82 percent for those on AHCCCS, The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.

An assessment of home safety practices highlights the fact that 90 percent of the participants in the Healthy Families Program are reducing risks to children by using car seats, locking up poisonous chemicals and installing smoke alarms in their homes. Other research shows that participants consistently report improvements in healthy parenting behavior and have reduced risk factors related to child abuse and neglect.

Program participants show improvement in areas such as mobilizing resources, social support, increased parenting competence, improved problem-solving and improved parent-child interaction. here is also evidence of a decrease in depression.

The Healthy Family Program and related services are available in the following communities: Maricopa, Stanfield, Casa Grande, Arizona City, Eloy, Coolidge, Florence, Queen Creek, Johnson Ranch, Apache Junction, Queen Valley, Superior and Gila River Indian Community.

For information about the Healthy Families program contact Mary Allen at (520) 866-7951.

This is the fourth in an eight-part series.

Up next:
Protecting Our Children: Judge says success with youth requires team effort

Previously:
Protecting Our Children: citizen volunteers round up resources for juvenile court system
Protecting Our Children: new district allows county to better help local children
Protecting Our Children: Pinal County to step up child support collections