Frequently Asked Questions about Healthy Families Travis County
What is Healthy Families Travis County?
Healthy Families Travis County is a voluntary, home visiting program whose goals include teaching over-burdened families about maintaining safe, stable and nurturing relationships. Caring and well-trained Home Visitors reach out to families through visits that focus on the parent-child relationship, bonding and attachment, understanding child development, and learning about community resources.
This evidenced-based home visiting model is supported by Healthy Families America and Prevent Child Abuse America. The model adheres to best practice standards such as: providing standardized assessments of families’ strengths and needs, beginning services prenatally, cultural understanding and acceptance, frequent home visits, developmental screenings of children, annual training requirements for staff, and family driven goal-setting.
Who can I contact for more information?
Doris Edwards
(512) 854-4862
Doris.edwards@traviscountytx.gov
Or
Natalie Hendrix
(512) 854-5009
Natalie.Hendrix@traviscountytx.gov
Or
Azure Hobbs
(512)854-3463
Azure.Hobbs@traviscountytx.gov
Who is eligible for Healthy Families Travis County?
Services are offered to first-time parents, who reside in some Travis County zip code areas. Most referrals come from local prenatal clinics and some are obtained from area high schools. Intake Workers visit clinics and schools regularly to gather referrals. Families receive information and referral services and may qualify for home visiting services.
Because of the high infant mortality rates and low birth weights of African American babies within Travis County, one unit in the program specifically serves African American families. Please contact Azure Hobbs in the contact section for more information.
Once enrolled in home visiting, a family may continue to receive support until their child is 3 years old. Additional services include: BookSpring books to promote early education, baby’s first quilt from Austin Quilters Guild, group fellowship activities and linkages to community resources. Local churches and businesses also offer support throughout the year. Charitable donations to assist families are encouraged and accepted.
Resources to Learn More
