HANDS Program
- The HANDS Program is a voluntary home visitation program for any new or expectant parents in the Commonwealth. HANDS supports families as they build healthy, safe, and secure home environments for the optimal growth and development of children.
What is HANDS
HANDS stands for Health Access Nurturing Developmental Services. HANDS supports parents through pregnancy, and through the first three years of your baby’s life. A free program, HANDS is here to answer all of your important parenting questions during the different stages of your child’s growth. Families meet with a HANDS parent visitor who can answer all of their questions and address their concerns about pregnancy and baby’s first years. They will also receive information and learn about resources available in the community for new parents.
Who can participate?
How does it work?
Families can be screened in the prenatal period and up until the child is 90 days old. In the prenatal period, the family is screened after a referral is made. This referral can be made by your doctor’s office, your local health department, your church, or friends and family. A trained home visitor will visit your home to introduce parenting skill development in areas such as recognizing your baby’s needs, what to do expect as your baby grows, making your home safe, etc.
What to expect
Parents participating in the HANDS program can anticipate to receive support throughout pregnancy and early years of child’s life, ways to make your home safer for your baby, information on how your child is developing and changing along the developmental process, acitivies for you and your child to stimulate your child’s brain development, and access to other community services for families.
