Services
Early Childhood
HANDS Program
Kentucky’s Health Access Nurturing Development Services, HANDS, supports families as they build healthy, safe environments for the optimal growth and development of children.
HANDS is a home visiting program for pregnant moms-to-be and new parents that supports all areas of your baby’s development. HANDS will support you throughout your pregnancy and the first two years of your baby’s life. From pregnancy to the “terrific”-twos, HANDS is here to answer all of your questions during the different stages of your baby’s growth. Enrollment MUST BE during pregnancy or when your baby is less than three months old. An individual or agency can click here to complete the referral form for more information, or contact Lincoln Trail District Health Department at 270-769-1601 to enroll in the HANDS programs located in Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, and Washington Counties.
Every parent needs a second pair of HANDS!
Kentucky’s HANDS
Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience! From the very moment you find out you are pregnant, your life begins to revolve around your new baby. There is no way to know just how exhilarating, challenging and rewarding parenthood will be.
Kentucky’s Health Access Nurturing Development Services, HANDS, is a free, voluntary program that pairs parents with skilled mentors. Starting before the baby arrives, HANDS Home Visitors meet with expecting parents to teach positive life-style choices in order to give babies their best possible start in life!
Our Goal
Our goal is to provide good parents the tools, resources and knowledge they need to become great parents!
We want to help parents succeed in achieving:
- Positive pregnancy outcomes
- Optimal child growth and development
- Healthy, safe homes for children
- Family self-sufficiency
Find Out More
To learn more about Kentucky’s HANDS program, please click here.
FAQS
Who can participate?
Whether it’s your first pregnancy or you are preparing to have another child, you may be feeling overwhelmed with worry, stress and have many questions. HANDS is available in all 120 Kentucky counties for parents expecting a new baby.
At no cost to families, HANDS is available for parents who are expecting a new baby and may have worries or concerns about the upcoming challenges of parenthood. If you feel overwhelmed or overburdened, join HANDS today!
When should I join?
HANDS services must begin during pregnancy or any time before your child is 3 months old. Unfortunately, we are unable to enroll families once their baby reaches 3 months of age, so don’t delay! Contact HANDS today! Families can continue in the program until their child’s third birthday.
What to expect?
Once you join the HANDS program, you will receive information and learn about community resources for parents.
Some families will receive further support through home visitation. Families who choose to receive extra support will be teamed with a HANDS Family Support Worker and they agree upon a home visiting schedule. Right in the comfort of home, these families will engage in fun activities to learn more about:
- Having a healthy pregnancy
- Caring for their baby
- How to bond with their child
- How to provide their child with enriching learning experiences
- Creating a safe and healthy home
- Community resources
- Child development
- How to deal with stress
What will my hands home visitor help me with?
HANDS Family Support Workers help you identify your baby’s needs and assist you in reaching attainable goals and milestones customized for your family. This may include things like teaching healthy eating habits, creating a bedtime routine, baby-proofing your home or simply finding resources for you within the community.
Think of your HANDS Family Support Worker as that extra helping hand – an experienced partner who will help you learn to be the best parent you can be! Share what’s going on in your life and talk about your child’s health, learning and overall well-being. Your HANDS Family Support Worker will answer all of your questions and help ease your mind about anything that might be worrying you.
Why should I sign up?
Whether it’s your first pregnancy or you are getting ready to have another child, you can feel overwhelmed or overburdened. Kentucky HANDS will help ensure that you have the healthiest pregnancy possible by receiving adequate prenatal care.
HANDS believes:
- All parents want to be good parents.
- All parents want their children to be healthy.
- 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 and recognize that all children must succeed.
- Prevention and early intervention improve the community’s well-being.
- Public and private partnerships are vital to a successful program.
What can HANDS teach me about being a parent?
HANDS teaches you how to care for your baby, how to bond with your child, how to provide enriching learning experiences for your baby, how to create a safe and healthy home, teaches discipline techniques, provides a support system, teaches anger management skills and how to deal with the stress of being a new parent.
How has HANDS helped others?
HANDS currently provides:
- Services to 10,000-11,000 families annually
- Over 650 home visitation services on a daily basis
- Over 14,000 home visitation services on a monthly basis
Families who participated in HANDS (compared to families who did not participate) experienced:
- Fewer premature infants
- Fewer low birth weight babies (<5 lbs, 9 oz)
- Fewer very low birth weight babies (<3 lbs, 5 oz)
- Fewer developmental delays
- Fewer complications during pregnancy and/or delivery
- Adequate prenatal care
What are the qualifications of a HANDS family support worker?
HANDS Family Support Workers have education, experience and training in child health and development disciplines. They attend nationally recognized and validated training to assist them to best serve overburdened families, all the while respecting various values and practices that come from cultural, linguistic, ethnic and geographic diversity.
When can participation begin?
HANDS is a voluntary and FREE program. Get started today and provide a better future for you and your family!
For more information visit www.kyhands.com
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