Catawba Valley Healthy Families
What is Catawba Valley Healthy Families?
Catawba Valley Healthy Families is a voluntary home visitation program designed to empower parents to support their child(ren)’s healthy development. By establishing a nurturing and safe home environment, parents set and achieve goals specific to the hopes and dreams they have for their family. We are Healthy Families America® accredited.
How Does It Work?
When families struggle to stay healthy due to a lack of support or resources, a Family Support Worker goes into the family’s home to educate and support families through Healthy Families America, an evidence-based practice model. Services are provided for an average of 3-5 years. The primary focus of the program is to promote positive parenting, parenting strategies, education about age-appropriate development, positive bonding, and attachment between parent(s) and child. Parents may also be supported with other resources in the community.
Program Highlights
Overview and Accessibility
This family support program is available in Burke, Caldwell, and McDowell Counties. It is designed to serve all parents—whether they are first-time or experienced—offering a welcoming and inclusive approach. Participation is entirely voluntary, and the program is provided at no cost to families, thanks to grant funding.
Service Model and Delivery
The program follows the Healthy Families America model, an evidence-based practice that emphasizes early intervention and family-centered support. Services are delivered by trained Family Support Specialists who conduct home visits. These specialists work closely with the entire family unit, including older siblings, to ensure comprehensive support and guidance.
Program Timeline and Structure
Support begins prenatally or within the first three months after a baby’s birth, focusing on the critical early stages of child development. The program is designed to be intensive and informative, helping parents navigate the challenges of raising a newborn. Families can remain in the program until their child turns five, although many complete it within three years, depending on their individual needs and progress.
Community Resource Guide:
Meet Teena
Being a first-time mother is never easy. And it’s really not easy when you’re just 16 years old and don’t have a solid relationship with the baby’s father. But that was Teena’s situation. And to make things even more challenging, she was recovering from cancer and still attending follow-up appointments when she discovered she was pregnant.
Early in her pregnancy, Teena started working with the Catawba Valley Healthy Families (CVHF) program. The home visitor helped her understand the changes she was experiencing during her pregnancy and educated her about different milestones she should expect her baby to reach.
Jayden is now 3½, on track developmentally, and attends Pre-K two days a week. He can sing the entire ABC song by himself. Teena is one test away from completing her GED and plans to enroll in college. She works part-time, and Jayden’s father works full-time. They also have strong family support, including one of Jayden’s grandmothers who helps with babysitting.
Family’s names and photo have been changed for her protection, but her story is very real
Catawba Valley Healthy Families FAQs
How does Catawba Valley Healthy Families support families?
Upon enrolling, families are supported by a Family Support Specialist (FSS). This individual is qualified and experienced in understanding family concerns and parenting challenges and is trained to assist with all aspects of family life. The FSS provides current information on a wide variety of topics related to healthy child development, links to beneficial community resources, and encouragement as families work toward meeting their goals. Home visits are always scheduled at a time that is convenient for the family.
What specific topics will a Family Support Specialist cover with families?
Your FSS will share information to help:
- Recognize your baby’s needs
- Take care of your baby while you, the parent/caregiver, takes care of yourself
- Understand your baby’s development and know what to expect as the baby grows
- Foster your baby’s development using developmentally appropriate activities
- “Baby proof” your home to make it safe
Your FSS will also lend support and share information on issues such as:
- Strengthening the relationship with a spouse/partner
- Effective discipline
- Community services to help meet the family’s goals and/or needs
- Employment
- Ways for new parents to continue their education
- Transportation
- Budgeting and finances
Who can receive help and is there a cost involved?
This program is free of charge and is eligible for Burke County families expecting a baby, or who have an infant under 3 months of age. This program is designed to serve ALL parents, first-time or seasoned. The home visitor will work with the entire family, including older siblings. One or both parents (or primary caregivers) can choose to enroll in CVHF services, participation is voluntary. Families can remain enrolled until their child’s fifth birthday, though many families complete the program in three years.