301 North Cameron St, Ste 101 sschoono@valleyhealthlink.com 5405364113

History of HFNSV

History of Healthy Families NSV

Healthy Families NSV is part of a national effort initiated in Hawaii in 1985 to support, in a positive and productive way, the process of  parenting - especially among first-time families.  This community's effort to bring a Healthy Families site to the region began in the fall of 1996.  A Community Summit sponsored by Kids Are Our Concern and Clean, Inc. involved over a hundred community leaders. The Child Advocacy Network helped the summit focus its attention upon the multi-faceted problems facing our communities youth and children.  One of the outcomes of the summit was the development of a Healthy Families Steering Committee designed to explore the feasibility of creating a multi-jurisdiction Healthy Families site. Winchester Medical Center also played a significant role in bringing together a wide range of stakeholders.  Once the steering committee evolved into a Board of Directors, staff members were hired and trained and program services began in October of 1998.

Healthy Families NSV is Nationally Accredited and an affiliate organization of Healthy Families America (HFA). We are also an affiliate organization of Healthy Families Virginia (HFV).

Parents as Teachers

Parents as Teachers is the overarching program philosophy of providing parents with child development knowledge and parenting support. The organizational vehicle for delivering that knowledge and support is Parents as Teachers National Center.

The Mission of Parents as Teachers is to provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.

Program Goals

  • Increase parent knowledge of early childhood development

           and improve parenting practices

  • Provide early detection of developmental delays and health

           issues.

  • Increase children's school readiness and school success

Healthy Families NSV is an International Affiliate of the                                                            Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc.