Post by Editor on Apr 23, 2009 13:40:34 GMT -5
Henry and Stark County Health Department Healthy Families Illinois (HFI) staff members (from l to r) Hermelinda Quezada, Dianna Orr, RN and Rebecca Creech displays posters and blue ribbons they've been using to help promote April's designation as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announce that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child Abuse doesn't have to happen, but it does. It can take place anywhere, anytime. Nobody knows for certain how many children are abused or neglected, it is estimate that more than
three million cases are reported in the US each year.
In Illinois alone in 2005, some 60,690 reports of child abuse and neglect were taken by the Child Abuse Hotline. Although there have been some improvements in recent years, this number is still tragically high. The Health Department noting this disturbing statistic is pleased to remind area residents that they have received grant monies to conduct the Healthy Families Illinois program here in Henry and Stark counties.
Dianna Orr, RN, BS, Program Coordinator notes that, "Healthy Families Illinois (HFI) is a program for pregnant moms and new parents and their families. Healthy Families Illinois is a free, voluntary program with no income guidelines. The purpose of the program is the prepare individuals for the challenges of parenting and the help them find ways to reduce some of the stress of having a new baby and coping with other life problems at the same time."
Who's eligible to participate in the HFI program? Orr says that the program covers pregnant moms; newborns; husbands; boyfriends; other children in the home; and anyone who lives with and will care for the baby in the home.
Orr goes on to state that through the grant, "A family support worker will work with participants to develop positive parenting skills; create healthy parent-child bonds; and give individuals information on child health and development; as well as, help parents to set realistic goals for themselves and their babies. The family support worker will also connect participants with any other community resources or programs that may help them meet their needs and goals."
Orr concludes, "It is our hope that together we can help parents give their babies the most important gift of all - a loving, nurturing, happy and healthy start in life."
For more information or any questions about the Healthy Families
Illinois program, or to make a referral, please call the Health Department at (309) 852-5272 or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com.
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The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announce that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child Abuse doesn't have to happen, but it does. It can take place anywhere, anytime. Nobody knows for certain how many children are abused or neglected, it is estimate that more than
three million cases are reported in the US each year.
In Illinois alone in 2005, some 60,690 reports of child abuse and neglect were taken by the Child Abuse Hotline. Although there have been some improvements in recent years, this number is still tragically high. The Health Department noting this disturbing statistic is pleased to remind area residents that they have received grant monies to conduct the Healthy Families Illinois program here in Henry and Stark counties.
Dianna Orr, RN, BS, Program Coordinator notes that, "Healthy Families Illinois (HFI) is a program for pregnant moms and new parents and their families. Healthy Families Illinois is a free, voluntary program with no income guidelines. The purpose of the program is the prepare individuals for the challenges of parenting and the help them find ways to reduce some of the stress of having a new baby and coping with other life problems at the same time."
Who's eligible to participate in the HFI program? Orr says that the program covers pregnant moms; newborns; husbands; boyfriends; other children in the home; and anyone who lives with and will care for the baby in the home.
Orr goes on to state that through the grant, "A family support worker will work with participants to develop positive parenting skills; create healthy parent-child bonds; and give individuals information on child health and development; as well as, help parents to set realistic goals for themselves and their babies. The family support worker will also connect participants with any other community resources or programs that may help them meet their needs and goals."
Orr concludes, "It is our hope that together we can help parents give their babies the most important gift of all - a loving, nurturing, happy and healthy start in life."
For more information or any questions about the Healthy Families
Illinois program, or to make a referral, please call the Health Department at (309) 852-5272 or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com.
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