Kentucky’s Health Access Nurturing Development Program
Pregnant? Have a new baby? Join H.A.N.D.S.
Hands is a FREE service providing parents with support in the following areas:
Information on having a healthy pregnancy
Preparing for birth
Safety and childproofing
Brain building activities
Bonding with your baby
Child development and milestones
Parenting skills
Teaching your child while having fun & more!
What Our HANDS Parents Say
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Confident and Equipped to Face Parenthood
“Almost 5 years ago, I gave birth to my little girl. As a first-time mom, I was not 100% sure what I was doing or if I was doing all the right things for my new baby.
Thanks to an impromptu Health Department visit, regarding my breast-feeding journey, I was referred to the program. I learned about my child’s development, milestones, her perspective, and what she needed to grow and thrive. They helped me learn about her physical and cognitive development as well as baby proofing, introducing food, safe sleep habits, handling tantrums, understanding her emotions, and more!
They gave me the tools I needed to be the best mother I can be to my child and I still use the same tools today, almost 5 years later. HANDS is truly the best!”
- Anonymous
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Milestone Ready for the Unexpected Challenges
“My experience with HANDS has been amazing. They have helped me communicate with and understand my toddler more. HANDS helped me ensure that my child reached milestones. Working with HANDS has helped me become a better mother.”
- Anonymous
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Enjoyable and Supportive Learning Environment
“We love the HANDS program and the support it offers. It was wonderful to have someone I could reach out to anytime I had any questions or concerns, knowing that I would get answers or advice about what to do.
There were so many great learning opportunities and fun activities that we enjoyed as well. We hadn’t really been around small children often for a while, so it was hard to remember the ages when everything typically happens.
I found it comforting that skills were checked often and to know that milestones were being met. I also appreciated having help with ideas for age-appropriate things we could do to help develop skills.”
- Anonymous
Call us at (606) 337-7046
Every parent needs a second pair of HANDS
FAQs
What does the HANDS home visitation program do?
Reaches out to first-time parents during the prenatal period or within three months after the birth of the child. Trained parent visitors talk with families and review ten topic areas that help link parents with community services that best fit their strengths, values and individual needs. Parents who desire can receive information to make things go as smoothly as possible with a new child. Voluntary home visits are offered to parents facing multiple challenges.
How does home visiting support families?
Home visitors are non-judgmental, flexible, and respect the values and beliefs of the communities and families they serve. Family support workers build on the existing strengths in the family and provide information and referrals to community resources. The goal of the support worker is to empower families to make their own decisions.
What services do home visitors provide?
Meet with families on an agreed-upon schedule. Link families with health care services. Provide information about child development and developmental stages. Assist families in identifying their baby’s needs and available resources (clothing, food, and furniture).
Are the services voluntary?
Yes! Home visiting services are provided for those parents facing multiple challenges (overburdened) who voluntarily choose them. Parents may choose to leave the program at any time. Choosing not to participate in the program carries no penalties for the family.
Do home visiting programs create government dependency
No. Home visiting programs connect families with vital community resources to promote and encourage self-sufficiency.
Are records kept confidential?
Absolutely, yes.
What training do your workers have?
Workers have education and/or experience and training in child health and development disciplines. Workers in the Kentucky program are provided nationally recognized and validated training to assist them to best serve overburdened families, all the while respecting the various values and practices that come from cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and geographic diversity. Parent consultation is completed with the family by professional staff such as a registered nurse or health educator. Professional or paraprofessional staff completes home visiting. Workers work in partnership with families to support positive parenting.
What does overburdened mean?
These are families facing multiple challenges and burdens (elements that add stress to any home: single parent status, low income, substance abuse problems, victims of abuse or domestic violence, etc.)