Healthy Families

Programs & services for new families

We believe every child deserves to have available the tools they need to build a healthy, successful life. And we believe that every parent or caregiver deserves the support and resources necessary to provide those tools.

NVFS’ Healthy Families program provides free services in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William counties and the city of Alexandria to promote healthy child development and prevent child abuse and neglect. This program works with families with children pre-birth to age 3 or 4, depending on jurisdiction. Healthy Families is affiliated with Healthy Families America, an initiative of Prevent Child Abuse America.

Healthy Families’ four goals are to:

• Promote positive, nurturing, responsive parenting
• Improve child health and development
• Promote school readiness
• Prevent child abuse and neglect

Family Assessment: A staff member conducts an initial parent interview using the Parent Survey / Family Stress Checklist tool to determine eligibility as well as need for other services. Referrals to community resources are provided as needed.

Home Visits: Family support workers (FSWs) provide regular home visits to at-risk families beginning during pregnancy and until child reaches the age of three.