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HANDS stands for Health Access Nurturing Development Services. The Hands Program is a voluntary home visitation program for any new or expectant parents in the Commonwealth. HANDS supports families as they build healthy, safe, and secure home environments for the optimal growth and development of children. HANDS supports parents through pregnancy, and through the first two years of your baby’s life. HANDS is here to answer all of your important parenting questions during the different stages of your child’s growth. Families meet with a HANDS parent visitor who can answer all of their questions and address their concerns about pregnancy and baby’s first years. Families recieve information and learn about resources available in the community for new parents.
Any parent expecting a new baby and residing in Kentucky is eligible. Families must be enrolled during pregnancy, or before a child is 90 days old.
In the prenatal period, the family is screened after a referral is made. This referral can be made by your doctor’s office, your local health department, your church, or friends and family. A trained home visitor will visit your home to introduce parenting skill development in areas such as recognizing your baby’s needs, what to do expect as your baby grows, making your home safe, etc. The frequency of the visits will be determined based upon your family’s needs.
Parents are the most important people in a child’s life. Becoming a parent doesn’t include an instruction manual, but the HANDS program can help guide you through the unknowns of parenting.
Parents participating in the HANDS program can anticipate the following: