Healthy Families is based on a national model from Healthy Families America with more than 30 years of research to prove its effectiveness. We have been visiting expectant and new parents in La Crosse County since 1992. As of March 2022, we are now able to offer our services in Vernon County as well.

In October 2022, Family & Children’s Center announced it was awarded a grant of $1.25 million to allow for an expansion into Minnesota. In Winona County, the program will serve 40 families with early intervention and prevention services for children ages birth to five.

Support and encouragement are provided through the Healthy Families program to help new parents champion their families and give babies in our communities a brighter beginning. By building confidence, reducing stress, and maximizing the joys of becoming a new mother or father, Healthy Families helps parents and children grow together.

Every pregnant mother deserves the opportunity for support!

FAQs

Parenting is the most difficult and vital job anyone can have. All parents need support and encouragement, and we believe that parents have the right to voice their own needs and determine what services and programs are best suited to help them. We are here to provide free, in-home support and education on how to become the best parent you can be.

By connecting parents with the most current information on how babies grow, change, and develop, we can help ensure they start on the right foot and grow into a healthy childhood.

Healthy Families provide support and encouragement by recognizing parent’s strengths and addressing concerns to help those facing the most significant challenges overcome the barriers and move forward.

Families that choose to participate in Healthy Families receive regular visits beginning prenatally or within 90 days after the birth of a baby. A Home Visitor visits the family in their home to help establish support systems, teach problem-solving skills through fun, hands-on, creative activities. Once in the program, the Home Visitor can continue to work with the family and receive services until the child is five years old. All the services provided are voluntary and are at no cost to the families participating in the program.

Each Healthy Families parent will be provided information and education about:

  • Recognizing and caring for your baby’s needs
  • Discovering what to expect as your child grows
  • Ways to play with your baby to encourage child development
  • How to talk with your baby
  • What to do when baby cries for extended periods of time
  • “Baby-proofing” your home
  • Community resources, including referrals
  • Problem-solving strategies
  • New ways of coping with the stresses of caring for a new baby

To participate in the program, you must be expecting a baby or have a newborn younger than 90 days old and be interested in engaging with our Home Visitor.

Getting started is easy! Just fill out the referral form or contact the Program Supervisor at (608) 785-0001.

What are the benefits of Healthy Families?

National data with a broad range of studies show that children are healthier when parents participate in Healthy Families, experience fewer adverse childhood events, and demonstrate long-term improvements in school performances.

We know that our families:

  • Have babies with up to date immunizations
  • Remain linked to a physician or clinic
  • Complete high school as a parenting teen
  • Become more self-sufficient and less socially isolated
  • Reduce the amount of money spent on child welfare, medical care, foster care, and legal services by half

Additional Resources

“I am so thankful for everything that Healthy Families has provided us over the last two years. The mental and emotional support has been fantastic. This program is an amazing resource for new parents who are struggling with a new baby. Their kindness, empathy, understanding, and sensitivity to what families are going through matters.”
“I am so appreciative of the warm, loving support that has been given to us through this program. I am very grateful for the kindness, knowledge, and shared information! I feel as though I am being supported as a mom. Healthy Families is an excellent program. Thank You!”
“The best part of being in the Healthy Families program is the support I experienced. The overall energy I received from my worker is one where I know I’m not alone.”
“My Healthy Families worker has made my experience with this program more enjoyable and friendly while still addressing what I need to do to have a healthy family. She made a TREMENDOUS difference on not just my participation in the program, but my overall view and opinion of the program as well.”

Ready to Get Started?

Getting started is easy! Just fill out the referral form or contact Andrea Pierson at (608) 668-2258 or email hfreferral@fccnetwork.org.