HANDS Program

275 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY  40621
(502) 564-3756

What is the HANDS Program?
The Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program is a voluntary home visitation program for new and expectant parents. Families begin by meeting with a HANDS Parent Visitor who will discuss any questions or concerns about pregnancy or a baby's first years. Based on the discussion, all families will receive information and learn about resources available in the community for new parents. Some families will receive further support through home visitation. That’s right, information brought right to the home.  

When do HAND Services Begin?  Services can begin during pregnancy or anytime before a child is 3 months old. If interested contact the local health department. 

New : HANDS Expansion (Multigravidia)

No longer for first-time families, this service is now available also for new or expectant parents who are parenting other children.

Multigrivida Sites include District/Counties below:

• Barren River District (Butler, Edmondson, Metcalfe)
• Bell County
• Boyd County
• Breathitt County
• Buffalo Trace District (Mason)
• Christian County
• Clark County
• Cumberland Valley District (Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Rockcastle)
• Estill County
• Fleming County
• Floyd County
• Garrard County
• Gateway District (Bath, Menifee, Morgan, Rowan)
• Hopkins County
• Johnson County
• Kentucky River District (Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe Counties)
• Knox County
• Lake Cumberland District (Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor, Wayne)
• Lawrence County
• Lincoln Trail District (Grayson, Marion)
• Little Sandy District (Carter, Elliott)
• Magoffin County
• Martin County
• Monroe County
• Montgomery County
• North Central District (Trimble)
• Pennyrile District (Trigg)
• Pike County
• Powell County
• Purchase District (Ballard, Fulton, Hickman, McCracken)
• Wedco District (Nicholas)
• Whitley County

• Parents are the most important people in a baby's life.
• Parents are the first and most important teachers a child will ever have.
• Parenting is a very demanding job and all parents have worries, questions and stress.

• Support through your pregnancy and the early years of your baby's life
• Ways to make your home safer for your baby
• Information on how to care for your baby
• Facts that will let you know your baby is growing and developing in healthy ways
• Activities that you and your baby can enjoy together that can stimulate your child's brain development
• Access to other community services

• Healthy pregnancies and births
• Healthy child growth and development
• Healthy, safe homes
• Self-sufficient families

In the prenatal period the family is screened after a referral is made. This referral can be made by the doctor’s office, the health department, your church, friends or 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 expect as your baby grows, making your home safe, etc. The frequency of visits will be determined by the family's needs.

• All families have strengths.
• Families are responsible for their children.
• Families are the primary decision makers regarding their children.
• Communities recognize their roles in children's lives.
• Communities recognize that all children must succeed.
• Prevention and early intervention improves community well being.
• Public and private partnerships are vital to a successful program.

Important Telephone Numbers:

• Abuse Hotline: (800) 752-6200
• Childcare: (502) 564-3527
• KY Commission on Women: (502) 564-6643
• Daycare Issues: (502) 564-2800
• Licensing and Regulations: (502) 564-2154
• HANDS:  (502) 564-3756
• K-CHIP (Health insurance for children): (502) 564-6890
• Medicaid Ombudsman: (502) 564-5080
• State Ombudsman:  (800) 372-2973
• Poison Control: (800) 222-1222
• WIC (Women, Infants and Children): (502) 564-3827