Child Abuse PreventionOffice of Children Services
Child Abuse Prevention
Healthy Families Travis County
Program Supervisors - A. Natalie R. Hendrix, M.Ed. & Doris N. Edwards, LBSW
Healthy
Families Travis County (HFTC) is a voluntary, home-visiting program for first
time mothers and their families. As a primary prevention program, it is designed
to promote healthy parent-child relationships, support appropriate child development,
prevent child abuse, and enhance family functioning.
The researched-based, Healthy Families America model was chosen for its documented success in preventing child abuse and neglect, enhancing the parent-child relationship and increasing family self-sufficiency. The HFTC program strives to prevent costly long-term social problems, such as: juvenile crime, school failure, teen pregnancy, welfare dependency, and child development delays.
HFTC is one of only two programs in Texas to have undergone a rigorous peer review and to be awarded national credentials for Best Practices by Healthy Families America. Currently, HFTC serves families in six zip code areas in East Austin. Participants are referred to services through established referral partners within the community.
Eligible families receive weekly visits for the first year, then bi-weekly, monthly and quarterly as the baby grows older and the family becomes more self-sufficient. Home visitors are experienced in serving culturally diverse populations and receive on-going training, annually, on numerous topics related to child and family issues.
Last Modified:
Friday, February 12, 2010 12:06 PM