Family Home Visitation Program
Daybreak Parent Child Centre implemented the Family Home Visitation Program (FHVP), revamping the former Parent Coach program at Child, Youth and Family Services, Eastern Regional Health Authority in 2005. The Family Home Visitation program was phased in between July 2005 and January 2006 and has provided home visiting to families living in St. John’s, Mount Pearl and Conception Bay South communities. Funding for the program is provided by the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development (formerly CYFS).
The Family Home Visitation program is staffed by a Program Manager and a team of Family Support Workers. The Family Home Visitation Program team is responsible for ensuring the primary objectives of the program are implemented.
The program’s primary objectives and desired outcomes are enhancing the skills and knowledge of parents, improving child development, promoting parent child attachment and helping families make community connections. Families must be referred to the program by the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development.
Referrals come to the Family Home Visitation Program Manager who then reviews it and schedules a visit with the family to: assess/discuss the needs of the family and the reason for the referral; discuss the confidentiality policy, documentation, the role of the Family Support Worker as well as some preliminary goals; and scheduling times.
The Program Manager will then assign a Family Support Worker to work with the family. The Family Support Worker is introduced to the family and scheduled visits begin. During visits, the Family Support Worker assists the family in working towards the identified goals by providing resources and education to the family. The goals allow for the Family Support Worker and the family to make informed decisions about the need to continue in the program or move forward in the community on their own.