It gives young, inexperienced and financially stressed parents an opportunity to draw on help from a mentor. The program is entirely voluntary. In Idaho, pregnant women who obtain prenatal care through regional health districts are referred to Healthy Families. Staff members help families stay on schedule with medical checkups and immunizations. They refer children to agencies that can address developmental problems.
Mentors provide information on nutrition and guidance about parenting.
Children are immunized. Their mothers get pre-natal care. Their homes are more nurturing and conducive to learning. And parents often get the guidance they need to continue school or work. Healthy Families gets results.