A project of Community Action Pioneer Valley. Becoming a parent for the first time can be a challenge. It's even more of a challenge if you're age 20 and under. Healthy Families is a free home visiting support program for first time parents, age 20 and under, living in the Franklin, Hampshire, and North Quabbin regions, as well as Ludlow and Chester in Hampden County. Home Visitors provide parenting support and child development education at participant homes as well as in groups with other first time pregnant and parenting teens. Activities are geared toward young parents' interests, whether it be support groups on relationships or making special journals about their child's first years of life.
Home Visitors also model healthy parent-child interaction, facilitate age-appropriate activities with children and parents together, make referrals, and provide information about a range of topics in a non-threatening and supportive way. But most important of all, they listen. All services are voluntary and confidential. Spanish speaking home visitors are available.
Healthy Families offers:
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Weekly home visits that focus on you and your baby
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Parent support groups
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Advocacy for housing, food, health care, transportation, employment, and education
Franklin County residents call 413-475-1545, North Quabbin residents call 978-544-8205, and Hampshire residents call 413-387-1270.