HFAC is an accredited affiliate of Healthy Families America (HFA). HFAC offers voluntary, intensive home visiting services to potentially over-burdened pregnant women and families after birth. When a family agrees to participate in the program, a thorough assessment called a “Parent Survey” is completed with the parent(s). The goal of the Parent Survey is to determine eligibility by collecting vital information on areas in which the family may need additional support or referrals. These areas focus on the parents’ childhood, coping skills, work history, education level, expectation of baby’s development, to name a few. A sample of the questions asked during a Parent Survey is attached.  By asking these questions, staff is able to determine which families qualify to be included as part of the LMB initiative.

Healthy Families Allegany County (HFAC) is funded for a capacity of 25 families. Due to having a small capacity, we were able to determine which participants met the criteria for disconnected youth or parental incarceration and collected the data accordingly.

Only a total of 8 families involving Disconnected Youth and/or Parental Incarceration qualified and agreed to services during FY18. 

Of the 8 families included in this initiative, 3/7 received services for at least 6 months.  The remaining family is actively receiving services and has been enrolled in the program less than 6 months.

All families included in this initiative receive the full scope of HFA services that are provided to all HFA enrollees under the direction of the national HFA governing board as well as any additional program activities mandated by Maryland Department of Health (MDH).

Healthy Families America (HFA) is a leading national evidence-based home visiting model, meeting rigorous criteria for federal funding through the Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. Currently, HFA serves more than 85,000 families by more than 550 sites in 37 states (Healthy Families America). Most parents have not completed high school when they enroll in HFA, a critical step for future earning potential.  Family Support Specialists help new moms find motivation and resources to further their education, as evidenced by three rigorous studies showing increased maternal education over one to three years (Healthy Families America).  Additional studies provide evidence of the positive impact of the provision of referral and linkage to needed services, including linkage to family planning services, as well as increased use of community resources (Healthy Families America).

Often times, families exhibit more needs than a single program can address.  These needs and stressors become barriers to obtainment of employment and career readiness.  HFAC uses key strategies to strengthen the connection between families and their participation in an array of community services, promoting linkage to needed services.  When family needs are addressed, parents are more likely to engage in opportunities to seek stable employment or prepare themselves for career readiness, working towards the achievement of self-sufficiency.  Every participant who receives an assessment through HFAC is given a Community Resource guide.  Frequently, families are referred to the Human Resources Development Commission (HRDC) to apply for mobility management (transportation) services and Early Head Start/Head Start; the Maryland Department of Social Services (DSS) to apply for food stamps, in-home services, child support, housing, and Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA); the YMCA Family Center to be evaluated for parenting classes, play groups, social support and housing; 1st Way Pregnancy Center for help with baby supplies, social support, and parenting classes; the Western Maryland Health System (WMHS) for birthing classes, sibling classes, and breastfeeding classes; the Cumberland Housing Authority for a housing application; and various local health department programs, including transportation, insurance coverage, health care navigation, dental care, and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

HFAC maintains a crucial partnership with the Allegany County Board of Education (BOE).  This relationship is important for both HFAC and the BOE as it improves the likelihood of identifying potential high-risk infants and toddlers at an early stage of discovery, improving the chances of a favorable response to diagnosis and treatment.  HFAC staff conducts Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) at scheduled intervals during the course of services. When a child scores beyond normal limits on an ASQ or shows any indication of a developmental delay, HFAC offers a referral to Infants and Toddlers. If a parent agrees to a referral, a release of information is signed to allow communication between HFAC and Infants and Toddlers regarding the child. In the past, HFAC has referred over 10 children to Infants and Toddlers due to suspected delays.  

The BOE, ACHD, and DSS have a shared responsibility and commitment to the Allegany County Infants and Toddlers Program.  The Infants and Toddlers’ governing board, the Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) meets quarterly and also serves as the HFAC advisory board.

Tri-State Women’s Health Center is one of three OB/GYN offices in Allegany County. From data pulled from HFAC’s referrals, nearly half of the women referred to HFAC are patients at Tri-State. Ashley Barnes, a case manager for Tri-State, sits on several boards. One of which is the Health Planning Coalition with Nancy Forlifer, WMHS and Nicole Bradley, HFAC Family Support Specialist. A working relationship has been built between HFAC and Tri-State. Currently, HFAC is conducting a CQI project to reach program capacity. An important part of the CQI project is collaborating with Ashley to identify key times to do in-person outreach at Tri-State. Ashley has also reported that she highly encourages patients to consider enrolling in HFAC if they have expressed a need or concern to her.

Unless a family is already involved, HFAC gives nearly all families information regarding the YMCA Family Center. The Family Center offers a variety of programs and groups that could be of service to families. HFAC has several families involved with the Family Center, whether it be to work towards their high school diploma, GED, attend parenting classes, or complete TCA workforce training. The Family Center is an important resource to some of families.

When WMHS Bridges to Opportunity came to fruition, HFAC was excited to inform families about this empowering program.  All HFAC families have been given information on each session offered since the program started. One participant even completed the program with her mother. She praised Bridges to Opportunity and even stated that she was encouraging everyone she knew to attend the program. She reported to HFAC that her identified need by Bridges to Opportunity was employment. Since completing the Bridges program, this participant created a family goal plan with HFAC and used her skills she learned in Bridges to Opportunity to work through Horizon Goodwill and TCA. Nancy Forlifer, the coordinator for Bridges to Opportunity, is a lead member of the Health Planning Coalition. Nicole Bradley, the Family Resource Specialist for HFAC, recently became involved with the Coalition and a work-group and will be meeting with Nancy and other leaders from local agencies on a monthly basis.

Healthy Families Allegany has a dedicated, skilled staff who has formed a bond with several families since the program’s inception in 2014.  Three families have stayed enrolled in the program for the entire duration and their child graduated from the program after three years.  However, the rigorous rules and regulations set for by the HFA national office, as well as the time commitment involved, has made it difficult for the program to find families who will enroll into the program.  For those families who do enroll, many drop out long before the three-year commitment is met.