Early Childhood Education

How It Works

Anyone who’s ever had a baby knows that infants don’t come with an instruction manual, and an expectant parent or parent of a newborn can be overburdened by stressful life situations and unable to focus on bonding with their new baby. Healthy Families is designed to support parents facing challenges such as single parenthood; low income; childhood history of abuse and other negative childhood experiences; and current or previous issues related to substance abuse, mental health issues, and/or domestic violence.

All families complete an assessment in order to determine the various factors that may be negatively impacting their family, as well as identify family strengths and protective factors.

How It Works

Healthy Families provides home visits to promote positive parenting, improve childhood outcomes, and increase family self-sufficiency through education and community support. During home visits, parents learn how to:

Recognize and respond to their babies’ changing developmental needs
Use positive discipline techniques
Cope with the day-to-day stress of parenting in healthy ways
Set and achieve family goals

Training requirements for staff assure a knowledgeable and well-informed team with a focus on continual professional development. Core training includes: trauma-informed practice; key parent-child attachment principles and how to support parents in implementing them; as well as reflective strategies that support parents in feeling competent and empowered to make positive changes in their lives.

Thrive Virginia uses person-centered and collaborative services to empower those fighting poverty to achieve individualized prosperity and community connections.