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Healthy Families Arkansas:
Ozark Mountains

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Healthy Families Arkansas™ – Ozark Mountains (HFA-Ozark Mountains) is a home visiting program accredited through Healthy Families America ® (HFA) that aims to strengthen families. This program gives pregnant women and families, particularly those considered high risk, necessary resources and skills to raise children who are healthy and ready to learn. We serve Searcy and Van Buren counties.

To alleviate transportation issues with families, our program completed 486 home visits in 2021, serving 34 families.

Families​

  • 35% first time parents

  • 56% two-parent household

  • 12% had fathers involved in home visits

  • 38% own their home

  • 47% are high risk families

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Primary Caregivers​

  • 47% were under age 21 when enrolled

  • 45% are employed at least part-time

  • 35% are homemakers

  • 88% of mothers received a postpartum visit within 8 weeks of delivery

  • 15% currently do not have a high school diploma or GED

  • 40% without the diploma/GED were enrolled in or received their diploma while in the program

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​What children experience in their first few years of life makes a big difference in how their brain will develop and how they will interact with the world as they grow.

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How We Support Families

  • Come see you in the convenience of your home

  • Offer confidential, one-on-one support

  • Listen to you and what you have to say

  • Answer questions and share information about pregnancy, newborn care, child development, and other parenting topics

  • Offer child development assessments and other screenings

  • Connect you with resources in your community

  • Work with you on the goals you’ve set for yourself and your family

  • Transition children to HIPPY, Headstart, or preschool when they turn 3

  • Help you get diapers, wipes, books, toys, clothes, and other baby items

  • Provide breastfeeding support, safe sleep information, and car seat safety checks

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Am I Eligible? How Can I Sign Up?

HFA-Ozark Mountains is open to pregnant women or any family with a baby younger than 3 months old (including grandparents, other guardians, or dads). Once enrolled, services can continue until your child turns 3 years old.

The program is designed to serve families facing a wide range of challenges so you can have the support you need. Eligibility is determined based on your family’s unique challenges.

If you are interested in enrolling, you can call or text 870-448-6488 or send a Facebook message to @hfaozarkmountains. We’ll talk to you about your family and ask a few questions to make sure you are eligible.

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CONTACT

Alexandra Ragland:  501-757-3023 achurches@ozarkopp.org

Melissa Smyth: HFA Program Supervisor 870-448-6488, msmyth@ozarkopp.org

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About Us

This program began in 2007 as Young Moms Healthy Families. Over the years, the goal of the program widened and the name was changed to Healthy Families Arkansas- Ozark Mountains to reflect that.

HFA-Ozark Mountains has three professionally trained staff members – Brandi Grillot, Alex Churches Ragland, and Melissa Smyth- who provide support for the families of Van Buren and Searcy counties.

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Links

Healthy Families America   –   https://www.healthyfamiliesamerica.org/

Arkansas Home Visiting Network   –   http://www.arhomevisiting.org/

Child Safety Information   – https://www.safekids.org

Texts to Keep You and Baby Healthy   –   https://www.text4baby.org/

Child Development and Parenting   – https://www.zerotothree.org

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