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Chillicothe, OH – The Ross County Healthy Families program, which operates under the Ross County Health District (RCHD), has received accreditation from Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) for its exceptional home visiting services aimed at supporting pregnant families and those with infants and young children.
The initiative adheres to the Healthy Families America (HFA) framework, which supports the Health Help Me Grow (HMG) Child and Family program at RCHD. Amie Unger, the Director of the Child and Family Health Division at RCHD, conveyed her pride in the team's success, remarking, “Achieving accreditation from PCA America demonstrates our commitment to delivering top-notch services to the families in our program. I am incredibly proud of our devoted team for reaching this milestone.”
The HMG Home Visiting program is a research-backed voluntary service designed to assist pregnant women and new parents, emphasizing the healthy growth and development of infants and young children. Skilled HMG home visitors equip parents with essential skills, resources, and confidence to foster their child's development, laying the groundwork for future success.
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Healthy Families America (HFA) has been delivering home visiting services for almost three decades. This initiative links expectant and new parents with local resources, including hospitals and pediatricians, to provide essential support during a vital period of child growth and development. The program is voluntary, allowing families to receive assistance in the comfort of their own homes, ensuring accessibility and convenience.
Melissa Merrick, the President and CEO of PCA America, expressed her admiration for the dedication of the Ross County Health District. She remarked, “We celebrate the Ross County Health District and recognize the remarkable leadership and dedication of the staff that have played a significant role in achieving this esteemed and noteworthy accomplishment.”
The accreditation process consists of a thorough evaluation centered around 12 essential components, supported by more than three decades of research. This process examines the operations of the site as well as the effectiveness of the visits conducted by HFA home visitors. Kathleen Strader, the National Director of HFA at PCA America, praised Ross County for welcoming this comprehensive review, highlighting the significance of delivering high-quality home visiting services to all families and communities.
A key objective of HFA is to promote supportive and attentive relationships between parents and their children. Home visitors receive specialized training to cover essential subjects for new parents, such as infant care, nutrition, child development, and coping with the pressures of parenting, which may include financial difficulties, housing concerns, and interpersonal relationship challenges.
Founded in 1972, PCA America is a nonprofit organization focused on the prevention of child abuse and neglect through initiatives in education, research, public awareness, and the development of public policies. The Healthy Families America program, initiated in 1992, supports families throughout the United States and beyond, enhancing the well-being of children and families in communities across the nation.
For more information or to make a referral to the Ross County Healthy Families program, contact Amie Unger at 740-779-9652 ext. 2241 or visit https://rosscountyhealth.org/help-me-grow-home-visiting.
