The Kentucky Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program is a voluntary home visitation program for any new or expectant parent. HANDS supports families as they build healthy, safe environments for the optimal growth and development of children.
What is the HANDS Program?
HANDS supports you throughout your pregnancy and up to your child's third birthday. HANDS is here to answer questions during the different stages of your baby's development. All families receive information and learn about resources available in the community for new parents. Some families receive further support through home visitation.
If you are interested in the HANDS program and learning about participating, please contact your local HANDS agency!
Who can participate?
New or expectant parents residing in Kentucky are eligible. Families must be enrolled during pregnancy or before a baby is 90 days old.
Why is participating in HANDS important?
- 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 can be a very demanding job and all parents have worries, questions and stress.
What can parents expect?
- 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
- Support to let you know your baby is growing and developing in healthy ways
- Activities that you and your baby can enjoy together to stimulate your child's brain development
- Referral and access to other community services you want
What are the main goals of HANDS?
- Positive pregnancy outcomes
- Optimal baby growth and development
- Children living in healthy, safe homes, and
- Self-sufficient families
How does the HANDS work?
While pregnant, the family is screened after a referral is made. This referral can be made by the doctor's office, the local health department, your church, friends or family. A trained HANDS professional will work with you 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. Your family's specific needs will determine how often you work with the HANDS professional.
HANDS believes:
- 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.
What can you expect?
Through HANDS, families receive individualized support, information and activities to help navigate early parenthood together. Our goals are to support positive pregnancy outcomes, optimal child growth and development, children growing up in healthy, safe homes and supporting parents to reach the goals they have for their children and their family.