A Home Visiting Program that Works

The Importance of Prevention

Diverse communities and service providers

across the U.S. have come to the same

conclusion – violence and maltreatment must

be stopped and the most powerful tools

available are strategies focused on

prevention.

“There’s a lot to do to address this problem, but if you could only do one thing – focus on prevention with new parents.” – U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect

How can we prevent child abuse?

The Importance of Prevention

A Foundation of Family Supports

Adequate housing Reliable transportation Quality child care Parent education and

support groups Job training and

employment opportunities Substance abuse and

mental health counseling and treatment

Domestic violence centers Family planning services Preventative health care

services Early intervention programs

for children with disabilities Healthy marriage and

relationship services that promote the well-being of children

Public awareness media campaigns

The History of Healthy Families America

Ronald McDonald House Charities

Hawaii Family Support Center

Prevent Child Abuse America

The History of Healthy Families Florida

In the early 90’s, six counties in Floridastarted a Healthy Families program.

• Pinellas

• Orange

• Hillsborough

• Duval

• Polk

• Sarasota

The History of Healthy Families Florida

Success of sites in other states

Lack of statewide prevention program

Soaring rates of child abuse and neglect

Surge of child deaths from abuse and neglect

Funding available from tobacco settlement

Bi-Partisan Support

The History of Healthy Families Florida

Florida Legislature

DCF

OPFF

HFF

The History of Healthy Families Florida

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Funding Level in Millions

1998

1999

2006

2007

Healthy Families Florida Today

Healthy Families Florida’s Mission

To provide a statewide system of

voluntary, community-based home

visitation services that strengthen

families, promote positive parent-child

relationships and optimize the health

and development of children.

Goal 1: Prevent child abuse and neglect

Five-Year Evaluation Results

Healthy Families Florida Impact on Child Abuse and Neglect

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

0 to 3months

0 to 6months

0 to 12months

0 to 24months

0 to 36months

Little or No Service

Treatment Group

Goal 2: Promote child and maternal health and

development

Goal 3: Increase parents' ability to develop positive

parent-child relationships

Goal 4: Improve

self-sufficiency

Goal 5: Ensure families are satisfied with project

services

What Are the Key Ingredients to Healthy Families’ Success?

Services are voluntary

Services are initiated during pregnancy or shortly after the birth of the baby.

What Are the Key Ingredients to Healthy Families’ Success?

Services are offered during flexible hours

Services focus on supporting parents and their families

What Are the Key Ingredients to Healthy Families’ Success?

Families are connected to a medical provider

Families are linked to additional services

What Are the Key Ingredients to Healthy Families’ Success?

Families are encouraged to become involved in existing neighborhood support systems

Families receive frequent visits for up to five years

What Are the Key Ingredients to Healthy Families’ Success?

Home visitors have low caseloads

Home visitors receive intensive training and supervision

What Are the Key Ingredients to Healthy Families’ Success?

• Accountability

• Training

• Technical Assistance

• Quality Assurance

• Fiscal Oversight

• Data Management

• Evaluation

A statewide system with a central office to provide:

What Are the Key Ingredients to Healthy Families’ Success?

Strong collaborative partnerships are

established in the community to ensure

families receive the services they need

beyond home visiting without duplication

of effort.

A Home Visiting Program that Works