(OAKTON, VA—Dec. 16, 2008) Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) will honor families from its Healthy Families Alexandria (HFA) program on Dec. 17 at its 2008 Healthy Families Alexandria holiday party. HFA is a voluntary home visiting program that gives first-time overburdened parents the emotional support and skills needed to assure positive outcomes for children from birth to age 5, which is the most rapid and significant developmental phase of life.
About 200 people will attend the event, held at First Baptist Church in Alexandria. Mayor Bill Euille will be in attendance to present certificates to families graduating from the program. Staff from NACHRI (National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions) planned and organized the celebration, and will provide toys, food, and entertainment including photos with Santa and a puppet show. “We are very grateful to the staff of NACHRI and to First Baptist Church, as they bring holiday cheer to many families in our community,” says Mary Agee, president and CEO of NVFS.
“Healthy Families Alexandria helps local mothers and fathers make positive choices that create a safe and healthy home environment for their children,” adds Lawrence A. McAndrews, president and chief executive officer of NACHRI. “We are grateful to join with Northern Virginia Family Service and Healthy Families Alexandria to celebrate the well-deserved successes these families have achieved.”
Started in 1993, Healthy Families promotes positive parenting and enhances child health and development. Affiliated with Healthy Families America, a national initiative of Prevent Child Abuse America, the program is a public/private partnership funded at the local and state level.
About NACHRI: The National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, founded in 1968, is a not-for-profit, membership organization of more than 190 children’s hospitals committed to excellence in providing health care to children. NACHRI works to ensure all children’s access to health care and the continuing ability of children’s hospitals to provide services needed by children.