Healthy Families Gainesville

Healthy Families America (HFA) is the nationally recognized, evidence-based home visiting program of Prevent Child Abuse America provided at no cost to participants. Wellroot is currently providing HFA services in Hall County under the Healthy Families Gainesville banner. Below is more information about HFA and Healthy Families Gainesville, a referral form, and other community resources.

What is HFA?

HFA builds a strong foundation for safe and secure relationships between caregivers and children, maximizing opportunities for all children to reach their full potential. Families enroll voluntarily in HFA as early as prenatally or at birth and work one-on-one with a Family Support Specialist in the home, receiving services tailored to their needs, until the child is three years old. Family Service Specialists provide information on parenting and child development, parenting classes, and case management. Eligibility requirements are single mothers, age 25 or younger, receiving Medicaid or uninsured residing in Hall County. We have bilingual staff that are fluent in Spanish that work with our Spanish-speaking families.

Currently, Wellroot is only offering HFA in Hall County based on community needs. Wellroot plans to expand HFA to other service areas as capacity allows and community needs demand.

Does HFA Work?

HFA is an evidenced-based model with over 30 years of research showing favorable outcomes in areas impacting child and adult well-being, family functioning, and positive parenting practices. The HFA model has received the highest possible rating of “well-supported” through the Prevention Services Clearinghouse, of the Families First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). In national studies, HFA has been shown to nurture child development, including long-term improvements in children’s school performance, and prevent adverse childhood experiences(ACEs) such as child abuse and neglect. HFA benefits parents in many ways by helping them be the best parents they can be, and reach personal goals (such as furthering their education and gaining employment). All of these outcomes have been shown in rigorous studies in multiple states.