COVID-19 Update: During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Healthy Families Washington County continued to provide services to families residing in Washington County via virtual home visits. In order to meet the needs of the families enrolled in the program, Healthy Families Washington County modified and adapted services. The program partnered with Fathers Forward, LLC to provide a virtual support group to fathers and father figures in our community. The Father’s Group is free and voluntary, meets weekly and participation is welcome at any point during the group. Healthy Families also started the Goal Getter program for participants to encourage families to continue being active in home visiting activities during the pandemic. From the Goal Getter program, families can earn points which they can trade in for prizes such as household items, arts/crafts, or self-care baskets. Healthy Families began delivering and dropping off essential items such diapers, baby wipes, baby safety equipment, cleaning supplies, etc. to families who were in need of them. We also partnered with the Health Department’s Cribs for Kids program to deliver safe sleep items to participants in our program with babies ages 12 months and under.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Healthy Families has also adapted to ensure that the heart and foundation of home visiting services remained consistent for families. All staff offered families virtual home visits through either Google Meet or through telephone visits. Healthy Families continued to provide universal screening to all families for Postpartum Depression, Child Development, Home Safety for Children, and much more. More than ever, Healthy Families staff continued to link families to resources in the community for food, shelter, housing, financial assistance, etc. and assisted families virtually in accessing those resources. The program’s focus remains on supporting parents and their children in the community and empowering families to advocate for themselves.
Description: Healthy Families Washington County is a free and voluntary home visiting program that is open to any parent in Washington County, MD. The program helps families link to community services that will meet the needs of each participant. Home Visitors provide education on prenatal care, labor and delivery, child development, breastfeeding, and other parenting topics and work with parents to create goal plans that are tailored to each family. Families who participate in the program are invited to monthly parent/child activity groups. Home visitors partner with parents to develop positive parenting strategies from the prenatal stage until age five and provide support to empower each family to advocate for their children in healthcare, child development, safety and education.
Eligibility requirements: Participant must be a resident of Washington County with an infant who is 2 weeks old or younger or currently pregnant.
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 referral form below and sent to wchd.hf@maryland.gov
How long does it take: Participants can expect to meet with a Healthy Families Family Resource Specialist for approximately 1-2 hours for an initial interview in their home. Family Support Specialists will coordinate weekly scheduled home visits for an hour with the family and provide child development information and activities for the family. Services last from prenatal stage and birth until the child reaches age five.
Cost: Free
Located at: 925 North Burhans Blvd, Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Building
Helpful Links
Healthy Families Washington County Brochure
Healthy Families Referral Form
