Description: Healthy Families Washington County is a free and voluntary home visiting program that is open to any parent/caregiver residing in Washington County, MD. The program helps families link to community services that will meet their needs. Family Support Specialists provide information and support on prenatal care, labor and delivery, child development, breastfeeding and other parenting topics and partner with parents to create goal plans that are tailored to each family. Families who enroll in the program are invited to monthly parent/child activity groups. Family Support Specialists also partner with parents to develop positive parenting strategies from the prenatal stage until age three (3) and provide support to empower each family to advocate for their children in health care, child development, safety and education. The program also helps families link to community services that will meet their needs.
Benefits of the program: Healthy Families Washington County’s goal is to support families in our community to provide a loving, safe and nurturing home for their child(ren). The program does this by providing the following services:
- Individualized services tailored to support each family
- Family Support Specialists support families with information about child development and health, breastfeeding, postpartum depression and mental health, maternal warning signs and much more.
- Transportation to medical appointments for enrolled participants who do not have transportation
- Bus passes for enrolled participants who do not have transportation for work, non-medical appointments, etc.
- Baby safety equipment for enrolled participants, such as baby gates, outlet covers, door knob covers, cabinet locks, etc.
- A welcome gift to all enrolled families which includes baby items and a diaper bag
- A limited baby pantry for enrolled participants to provide items such as diapers, wipes, and other baby items.
- Free universal screening to all families for postpartum depression, child development, home safety for children and more.
- Connection to other families through parent and child activity groups
- Fun and engaging ideas and examples of child development activities
- And much more!
Eligibility requirements: Parent/Caregiver must be a resident of Washington County who is currently pregnant or with an infant who is six (6) weeks old or younger. Parents include any primary caregiver who retains custody of the child, including but not limited to fathers, mothers, grandparents, adoptive parents, etc. Special considerations are made for families with infants older than six (6) weeks who are in need of additional family support.
How to enroll: Call us at 240-313-3270 or email wchd.hf@maryland.gov to ask for more information. A referral can also be made using the program’s referral form.
How long does it take? Families can expect to meet with a Healthy Families Washington County Family Resource Specialist for approximately two (2) hours for an initial interview. This information will be shared with Family Support Specialists who will contact families to offer weekly in person home visits. Once the family starts meeting with their Family Support Specialist, they are enrolled in the program. Services last from the prenatal stage and birth until the child reaches between the age of three (3).
Helpful Links
Healthy Families Washington County Brochure
Healthy Families Referral Form
