Healthy Families Indiana is a free and voluntary home visitation program

designed to promote healthy families and healthy children through a variety of services including child development, access to health care, and parent education.

Administered by the Department of Child Services, Healthy Families Indiana is designed to strengthen families and promote healthy childhood growth and development. Lessons are designed to encourage positive parent child interaction and teach age appropriate child development. Anticipated outcomes would include increased attachment and bonding, reduction of child abuse and neglect, and decreased childhood health problems which would result in fewer incidences of juvenile delinquency in the future. By working closely with hospital maternity wards, prenatal clinics, and other local agencies, Healthy Families systematically identifies families that could benefit from these education and support services either before or immediately after birth.

Families are initially provided a packet which includes information pertaining to local services and basic infant care. The home visitation piece includes parentchild activities, focus on early literacy, administration of developmental screens, and referral to appropriate programs. These strength based services are available until the child turns 3 years old.