HFA and COVID-19
A message from Kathleen Strader, National Director of Healthy Families America
COVID-19 has been like a roller coaster, taking us and our emotions on a twisting, turning, up and down ride. And turns out it’s a very long ride, currently with no clear end point. While unpredictable, and a major shift to life as we knew it, COVID-19 has been an impetus for some new and innovative ways to do business, to be entertained, and to connect with those we love. COVID-19 has also revealed our weaknesses. We’ve taken notice in new and more powerful ways of change urgently needed to resolve racial health disparities and improve systems built on racial inequities.
The HFA network continues its work to support families with infants and young children, many who need us now more than ever before. Our hats are off to all of you for being champions during these stressful times for yourselves, your staff and the families you serve. The National Office promises to continue to support you in your work by creating and cultivating resources for you, by improving access to these resources so you have what you need when you need it, and simply by being here for you.
Newest info: Vaccination Information
Families and staff have many questions in regard to the COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC and ACOG are excellent sources of information.
There are many potential reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Trust is a big part of it. Our responsibility in this moment is not to step back from hesitancy but to step alongside. To lean on what is credible, factual, and evidence-based, with the goal of supporting family health and well-being.
The COVID vaccine has been demonstrated to be safe and effective, with 174 million Americans already fully vaccinated, including everyone on the HFA team.
We strongly urge you and your staff to get the vaccine if you haven’t already, and to support families who are hesitant to do the same by sensitively and respectfully sharing the facts.
HFA COVID-19 Priorities
Over these past several months, in the midst of unprecedented circumstances and the need for swift and decisive action to successfully and responsively pivot the work we do, we have relied on four COVID Priorities. We encourage you to use these too and hope you will find these to be a helpful anchor, whether in managing your site, supervising staff or with staff in how they support families. As always, it is about the parallel process.
Health and Safety
All decisions related to how we support the HFA network will first and foremost put the health and safety of families and staff as top priority. We will remember that owing to increased stress, families may be at greater risk of violence and unsafe conditions in their own homes, including families where the risk may not have been present pre-COVID. We will proceed with extreme caution recognizing we have a responsibility to protect ourselves and each other from COVID-19 (the disease and it’s many negative societal consequences).
Flexibility
HFA is neither prescriptive nor rigid. Flexibility has been a long-standing core construct of the HFA model. Now more than ever it is imperative we extend flexibility, allowing staff to focus on the primary goal of sustained, quality relationships, professionally and personally, providing space for patience and creativity.
Access to Supports
We must pioneer new strategies to ensure we maintain and increase access to the supports and resources needed by staff and families. Many of our previously relied upon pathways and modalities are no longer available or safe, yet needs persist, and in most cases the needs are greater than ever before. Equitable access is of paramount importance.
Learning Together
Our path forward is not a previously chartered course. We will do the best we can with the information we have at the time. We acknowledge we will make a wrong turn from time to time and we extend grace to ourselves and others for the mistakes made along the way, promising to learn, grow and do better together.
Resources for decision-making on virtual vs in-person visits
Resume in-home visits or continue virtual visits?
This guidance is provided to assist sites in their decision-making at the local level and in some cases at an individual family and/or staff level.
Model Guidance for HFA sites and agencies
The emphasis should be on maintaining connection (in whatever way is possible), offering a calming presence, providing support based on current needs, and keeping the dynamics of the parent-child relationship central.
What makes a virtual home visit a visit?
Phone and video visits can count as a virtual home visit, while texting does not (get more details on what counts as a virtual visit. What are the key components of a home visit?
Additional Resources from the Home Visiting Field
Many organizations are hard at work compiling resources for their networks. HFA has pulled together a list of the ones we think will be most valuable for our HFA affiliates.
We cannot tackle these issues single-handedly—no one can—but neither can we sit idly by and allow our children, families, and communities to suffer. At moments like this, it is more important than ever for us to stand together to advocate for racial justice and equity. To do so, we rely on strong partnerships—with our nationwide network of state chapters and Healthy Families America affiliates, with external collaborators at the local, state, and federal levels, and with leaders in the business and civic communities. We all have a role to play in creating a better future for every child, regardless of the color of their skin.
The state of the network and resources to help sustain your organization
June Network Health Survey Results
Healthy Families America (HFA) conducted a network health survey during the latter half of May 2020 to assess early impacts and inform resources needed from the national office.
Home Visiting Is Essential – Advocacy Resources
Now, more than ever, home visiting is an essential service for families. We’ve compiled resources for you to spread the word with your local leaders that #homevisitingisessential.
Economic Support and Meeting Basic Needs
Where to find help – for sites, staff and families.
Want to contact us?
Interested in learning more about our home visiting programs or helping transform childhoods and communities? Get in touch—we’ll respond as quickly as we can.