Healthy Families

1616 N. Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004-3980
847.255.8060
Fax: 847.590.6184
E-mail: shelter@shelter-inc.org

For emergency housing for children and adolescents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, please call:

847.255.8060

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Our Mission

Helping and protecting children who are abused, neglected, dependent or in need of supervision. We do this by:

	Providing 24-hour emergency and longer-term care
	Creating community awareness and education to prevent such abuse and neglect
	Promoting healthy families to reduce child abuse and neglect

Community Partner

Healthy Families

Healthy Families Program

Program Type: Home visitation and parenting education for first-time parents

Client Description: First-time parents who have voluntarily agreed to participate in the program

Age Eligibility: For parents, there is no age restriction. However, services must be initiated during the prenatal period or within two weeks after the baby’s birth.

Length of Service: From one intervention to monthly, bimonthly, or weekly visits by Shelter staff, up to 5 years

Service Area: Families must live in the Northwest Suburbs or Far Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, Illinois

Location: Services may be initiated from doctor’s offices, hospitals, schools, social service agencies, or a family’s home

Referrals: Anyone may make a referral to the Healthy Families Program, including:

	Medical staff and physicians
	County health departments
	Social service agencies
	School staff
	Family members
	First-time parents (self-referrals)

Fees: None

Services include:

	Assessments to identify families’ strengths and needs
	Parenting information and education
	Advocacy, referral to, and coordination of supportive, social, medical, educational, and legal services in the community
	Supportive counseling

Since 1996, Shelter, Inc., a nonprofit, licensed and accredited child welfare agency, has provided Healthy Families services free of charge to first-time parents, helping them to build a healthy and secure environment for their children.

The Healthy Families Program offers a variety of services that may include home visitation or information referrals to child care, education, or health care. Home visits focus on positive parenting skills, child development, child health information, and other aspects of family functioning.

The program is voluntary and confidential. Services are focused on strengthening the family and enhancing the quality of life, thereby improving childhood outcomes.

Elements of the Program

1. To assess all first-time parents in order to identify their strengths and needs, to refer them to appropriate community resources, and to promote supportive environments that optimize child growth and development and encourage resilient, healthy families.

2. To enhance family functioning by building trusting relationships, teaching problem solving skills, and improving the family’s support system.

3. To promote positive parent-child interaction.

4. To ensure children receive well-baby care and immunizations.

For more information about our Healthy Families Program, please

click here to download a brochure (PDF: 364 KB/4 pages), or

	contact the Healthy Families program director at 847.255.8060, or
	send an e-mail to shelter@shelter-inc.org.

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[ Home ] [ Services ] [ Service Area ] [ Referral and Placement ] [ Foster Parent Support ] [ How You Can Help ] [ Special Events ] [ Spring 2008 Newsletter ] [ Career Opportunities ] [ Contact Us ] [ Additional Sites of Interest ] [ Annual Report ]