We hear so many stories from parent participants in the Healthy Families America program that we thought we should share some with you.  The following are stories from HFA participants across the United States received during 2011.

I first heard about HFA Easter Seals Teen Family Support program when I got a packet in my WIC folder.  I was interested in participating because I’m a young mother and if there is more help available, why not try it?  I have been participating since 2008. 

The thing I like most about HFA program is that my caseworker is available for me.  With the parties and group meetings, we all get a chance to see the other young women in the program as well as ones I may already know.  I also enjoy the activities that my home visitor brings for my daughter that I may not have been able to do otherwise.  HFA has helped me become a better parent in many different areas of parenting.  Some areas include which foods to feed my daughter and when to start them.  Also, different phases that she will go through based on her age.  They also helped me with different discipline methods to help my daughter grow healthy and happy.  The thing I like best about my home visitor is that I can tell her anything.  If something is bothering me, I can vent about it to her.  Also, if there is something I don’t know, she will educate me on that subject, and if she doesn’t know herself, she will find the information for me no matter what it is. 

The things that I would like other parents to know about HFA is this program can help anyone, from all backgrounds, in all different types of areas of child development, so take advantage of it while you can.  I would like the funders to know that in the past as well as the present the HFA program has been more helpful for me than I could ever imagine.  In April 2009, I had my first encounter with homelessness.  I didn’t know which way to turn, so I called my home visitor.  She gave me all the resources I needed to keep moving forward from this set back.  I am now in my own apartment, am in college, and work full-time.  To this day I am so grateful for her because she was there for me when I needed someone and I love her for it!

Durham, NC mom

With "a smile in between the tears," Tonique Williams has nearly reached the three-year mark of first-time motherhood. She's the first to admit that it hasn't been an easy road, saying that when pregnant, she was "weak and didn't have any support," but thanks to Healthy Families Durham, she's standing on her own two feet as the strong mom of a giggly, whip-smart 2½-year-old girl.

Tonique Williams became involved with Healthy Families, which targets first time parents of children up to age 3, when she was pregnant with her daughter, Ny'Asia. The first task was to identify some of her needs and goals. The inclusion of her own goals was "excellent," she said, noting that not all programs focus on what parents want to achieve.

"This program cares about everything you need," she said. "I didn't have housing, and I didn't have a job when I first got pregnant."

The new mom's dream is to become an interior designer, so she participated in a Durham Technical Community College construction program, brought to her attention by Healthy Families, to learn more about the construction and design of homes. She was the lone woman to graduate from the program earlier this month. "It opened doors for me," said Williams, who now does secretarial work for the city of Durham and is planning to take an interior design course at Durham Tech this fall.

"She (my family support worker) really supported me a lot," Williams said, her eyes glistening with tears. "She helped me out when I was down and out, stressed out and stuff like that. And then she supported me as far as going to my graduation. She knows my dreams. She's like a mom to me."

Williams is now one of Healthy Families' biggest advocates. Although her official relationship with the program will end in June when Ny'Asia turns 3, Williams said she'd like to stay involved to some degree, perhaps as a volunteer. "I'm going to stalk them!" she joked.

For now, she's focused on encouraging other parents, "especially the single mothers," to take advantage of the benefits of Healthy Families. She said the program does a great job of ensuring client confidentiality and stressed that family care workers won't "be in your business. It's more about the support system." Families can opt out of the program at any time.

Healthy Families teaches first-time parents valuable lessons about child development, such as when they should be expected to know the alphabet, and about free or inexpensive activities that parents can do with their children, Williams said.

It also helps parents keep their cool when things get out of hand. "As a mom, to be honest, it's stressful, but Healthy Families keeps it balanced," she said. "When my daughter had her 'days' -- like a normal child has those 'upset' days -- they helped me to deal with it, to cope with the problems."

Tonique Williams said that thanks to her efforts and the work of Healthy Families and Ny'Asia's day care, 21st Century Child Care, the toddler's future is as bright as her smile. "She's 2, and she knows how to do so many things," she said. "People ask me, 'Are you sure she's 2?' That's how smart she is." (Taken from news article in the Durham Herald Sun, 4/25/11)

Charlottesville, VA mom

Charlene, a young woman living in Charlottesville, was four months pregnant with her first child when she first learned about CYFS’ Home Visiting program. She and her husband had very little money and had been unable to navigate the system to access Medicaid services or receive financial assistance. Charlene wanted to do everything she could to prepare for her soon-to-be-born son, so she was thrilled to learn about CYFS’ program for new mothers in need of help.

“Because this was my first time to be a mom, when I heard about this outreach program, I thought I could find some help and information here,” explained Charlene. Beginning when Charlene was five months pregnant, a CYFS Home Visitor came to her home every week. “I was able to help Charlene get Medicaid services for her baby and herself during her pregnancy and delivery. This was important to assure that she and her baby received adequate medical care at this critical time,” said her Home Visitor.

After the child was born, her CYFS Home Visitor continued her visits to Charlene’s home where she began to notice some unusual child-rearing practices employed by the young mother. When asked, Charlene stated that they had been suggested by family and friends. Charlene wanted to provide the best care for her baby, but clearly did not know any better.

Because the Home Visitor visited Charlene and the baby in their home, she was able observe first-hand that Charlene was attempting to feed her very young infant foods such as strawberries and grapes. Gently, her CYFS Home Visitor taught Charlene why this could be dangerous to her son and guided her in the preparation of age-appropriate foods. “ I learned about thesteps of his development so that I knew what to expect and what I should do to help him.  My Home Visitor always did her best to answer my questions. Sometimes she would bring me books that I could read to learn even more.”

The CYFS Home Visitor worked with Charlene until her son was nearly a year old. The lessons Charlene learned have helped other new moms, as well. “I often share what I have learned from my home visitor with other new moms that I know. I think this is a great program. It has really helped me and my son. Today he is very healthy, active and cute!”

Orange, IA  mom

I heard about Healthy Families from a friend/employee of Healthy Families that suggested/recommended the program.  I have been participating for almost a year and one half.

I like the continuous support in raising my child from my Healthy Families employee and the information she brings at each visit that pertains to the stage of development of my daughter.  Julia is always available and answers any questions/concerns I have about my daughter and my family.  Her support has extended beyond just caring for my daughter but also for the well-being of my family and my marriage.

Healthy Families has helped me to be a better parent by giving me more tools and education to allow my daughter to flourish.  It has also given me the support I needed to take time-outs and time for myself.  As a mother it is just as important to love yourself as your child.  The program focuses on the health of the parent first and then they can better care for their child.

I like how my home visitor is very loving and available for me always.  She has become a friend to me and I don't see her visits as ''business." Although she is very professional and is always teaching me something new.  Mainly I am grateful to have her support and that she continually is there to encourage me and push me to be a better wife and mother.

It is an organization that provides relevant materials to help parents know how to be better parents.  It educates parents on what they should expect developmentally in the age of their child and how to better prepare your child/children for their future.  It is also a support system for many parents that do not have another person to encourage and support them in their parenting.

It is an organization that provides relevant materials to help parents know how to be better parents.  It educates parents on what they should expect developmentally in the age of their child and how to better prepare your child/children for their future.  It is also a support system for many parents that do not have another person to encourage and support them in their parenting. It encourages parents to love themself/themselves and care for themself/themselves first in order to provide the best care for their family. The program supports the client in whatever situation they may face.  My husband and I were going through the process of immigration and my home visitor provided us with paperwork and assistance with it.  It was such a relief to have my home visitor care about every aspect of our lives aside from our parenting as well.  

Clay Co. IN mom

I first heard about Healthy Families when I lived in Montgomery County. I loved the program the time I have been in it. I love the socialization and the resources most. Healthy Families taught me a lot of what I know now. I have been able to carry info on to other pregnancies and children. Home visits are not awkward and my home visitor is always on time and friendly. Age used to be a problem, but I don’t see being younger an issue because I can learn from her and her from me. Parents need to absorb what is given instead of feeling like they have to instead of brushing it off. If it weren’t for Healthy Families, I would’ve never been able to care for my son like I did.  I’ve learned so much. I didn’t have a mom or support system so my Healthy Families lady was all I had.

Parke Co. IN mom

My daughter Scarlett started the program when she was born. I wasn’t sure at first but as I worked with my visitor I have came to love home visitors. So far, I have been in it for a year and the most I like about the program it is the information and the people. It has made me both a better person and parent. I have learned how to manage my anger and stress.     My visitor is the most caring person I have met. She makes me feel more of a friend    then a client. I feel like she cares. They give great advice. I would recommend this program to all the moms I know. This program is the best and if funders should know my Healthy Families has a great sense of what moms need. For new moms it’s a fountain of information and for old moms it’s always a great reminder. If you ever cancel this program it would be a very big mistake. This program is the best I’ve been in. It gives great information and everyone is very nice and cares very much. Other parents should know about HFA so they don’t miss out on important information. Thank you for what you have done.

Florida mom

Today, I’m a good mom, wife, and employee and I am voting this year for the first time.  I grew up in an abusive home, my dad was abusive.  When you’re raised in an abusive home, it becomes a cycle.  I used drugs and had my kids taken away from me through DCF.  I was on crack cocaine for over 15 years and I’ve been in and out of jail and prison.  When I got out in 2003, not long after, I got pregnant. And, I was scared at first because of my age and because I really did not know how to be a parent.  I failed miserably with my other three children. 

Healthy Families came to me and offered to help, but I guess after being involved with Child Protection and DCF I was leery about someone coming into my home.  It started weighing on me and I became apprehensive and nervous about whether I was going to be a good parent, will I do right?  After I said no, they were not intrusive.  After saying no, I reached out to them and let me into the program.  My home visitor, Ellie, was a good person and easy to talk to. She answered questions because I did not know what I was doing.  Kids don’t come with instructions or a guide book.  But, HF is like that guide book.  They helped me through the developmental stages, immunizations and other things I just didn’t think about.  There was a time when I was tempted to going back to using drugs, and Ellie talked me through it.  I got my new job while I was in HF.  I’ve been there 2 years and just got a promotion, I got married while I was in the program. 

I’m here on my day off because I believe that  if I’d had HF back when I had my other kids, I would have all my kids now.  I don’t think my life would be what it is today without the help of HF.  They are the best.  If my case worker didn’t know the answer to a question, she would find out quickly.  Brianna got her first report card  … all As & Bs, she’s a ready reader.  HF is so important and it gave me so much, for me not to give back would be stingy.  They’ve made me a strong person, a great mom, a wonderful wife, a reliable employee.  I am proof that it works.