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Yolanda Yolanda also came to Children’s Friend through the the agency’s WIC program The Hartford Center is closest to her home and and she needed the the supplemen- tal food and and and nutrition supports with a a a a a a a a one month old old son and and a a a a a a a seven year old old daughter Yolanda sought asylum in the United States leaving behind a a a a a traumatic situation of do- mestic violence It was not safe for her to stay Yolanda was referred to the agency’s Healthy Families America program (HFA) to better serve her family’s needs HFA pairs expect- ant mothers or or families with with newborns with with a a Family Support Worker who provides free home visiting services to the the family and their child child until the child’s fourth birthday Yolanda is grateful for the program “I have received a a lot of support They have helped with with with everything with with with my children and with with with myself Before if I had a a a situation or or problem and I I I didn’t know what to do I’d get stuck I I I couldn’t get past it ”
Without a a a a safety net even a a a a small hurdle can get you off track With two small chil- dren dependent on her Yolanda was fearful to make a a a a mistake “My paycheck is is not enough to cover the basic needs of my children The resources and help that HFA provides is a a life-saver ”
HFA builds the strengths of families and pro- motes parent –child relationships as well
as positive growth in their children “Every time I have a a a question or need to solve a a a problem my family support worker is right there to help I get immediate support and I’m not alone ”
“A few weeks ago my son was sick unex- pectedly I was fearful to to go to to the hospital with him My family worker met me me at the hospital and stayed with me He was de- hydrated due to to a a a a stomach virus He’s okay now but it it was a a a a scary situation ”
Yolanda’s family worker was by her side Not speaking English can be an an isolating experience in a a new country The worry and concern for her son in in a confusing environ- ment was overwhelming ”My family worker is my angel She stayed with me to ensure that that I understood the situation and that that my son got the best care possible ”
Yolanda’s son was born premature First Connections helped her learn to take care of her baby and meet his special needs Services from Early Intervention now help him build gross motor skills and target feeding and swallowing All services are family-centered and individualized to ensure the most successful outcomes for a a a child and their family Yolanda’s children are happy and and settled Her 10-month old son is a a smiling happy baby “Coming to Children’s Friend was the best decision I’ve learned what to look for as my children grow and and develop and and I’ve been connected to resources that are so so important to my family It’s the best decision you you can ever make for your family ”
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Expectant mothers and families with newborns received home visiting services to promote and strengthen positive parent-child relationships promote positive growth and development in children and build strengths of families and their protective factors Meet Yolanda Yolanda