Child abuse prevention programs aim to break family cycles of abuse and neglect. At-risk parents in Washington County can get a lifeline through LifeWorks NW’s Healthy Families program.
“Our goal is to prevent child abuse, one family at a time,” says Nydia, Healthy Families Program Coordinator. “We form an alliance with families. We meet with parents each week to support healthy and happy relationships.”
What is Healthy Families America?
Healthy Families America is a national program that is more than 25 years old. LifeWorks NW Healthy Families is part of HFA, whose services:
- Are relationship-based
- Respect cultural differences
- Center the family
Research shows the program improves mental health and financial stability while lowering the risk of domestic violence. Children who take part in the program show improved school readiness.
How does LifeWorks NW’s Health Families program work?
Washington County refers parents to Healthy Families through their Help Me Grow program. Each LifeWorks NW Family Support Specialist works with 13 to 18 families.
“Once a family becomes interested in services, our staff contacts them to learn more about their needs and to explore their strengths,” says Nydia. “The first job is to build a strong connection with the families.” Staff then recommend services such as food, housing, and health care. Participation is always voluntary.
The benefits of Healthy Families expand to many
The benefits of helping one child can ripple through a family. Nydia shared the story of one client who entered the program while pregnant after having several children.
Support Specialist Cristina developed strategies that helped the entire family. She connected the mother to resources, supported her in removing an abusive partner from the home, intervened against eviction threats, and collaborated with caseworkers to help the mother keep custody of her children.
“It was crisis after crisis. There were so many times this family could have ended up on the streets,” Nydia says. “Sometimes the mother was so tired, she’d say, ‘I can’t do it.’ It took a lot of courage to keep going in the face of so many obstacles, most rooted in poverty and intense trauma.”
Nydia says there are still many challenges, but the mother has hope for the future. “With HFA,” Nydia says, “families will always have ‘someone in their corner’ to support them as they navigate the joys and struggles of parenthood.”
