Shelter, Inc. held a graduation celebration on Wednesday, August 16 for all the families who have participated in the Healthy Familiesprogram for 5 years. This vital program offers a variety of services through home visitation that may include providing referrals for childcare, education or health care. Home visits focus on positive parenting skills, child development, child health information and other aspects of family functioning. Services are focused on strengthening the family and enhancing the quality of life, thereby improving childhood outcomes.
Shelter Inc.’s Healthy Families staff is bilingual, bicultural and trained in prevention services as well as parent education. The program is voluntary and confidential. The Healthy Families approach is designed to begin working intensively with first time families at or before the time their babies are born and services are available for up to five years.
The graduation ceremony took place at Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg where the children were all able to enjoy the nature themed play structures. Together, the families enjoyed a pizza dinner, dessert and received completion certificates, a gift card and the book “All The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. Each of these participants entered the program at birth and are all now registered for kindergarten. They have all received their required immunizations and we are pleased to report that no child receiving Healthy Families services has ever been placed in emergency foster care due to abuse or neglect.