As a first-time mother, Lydia Kiyee aimed to provide the best possible care for her newborn. When she discovered the Healthy Families home-visiting program, it seemed like the perfect solution.
Through this voluntary program, Lydia connected with Abby DeWitt, a Healthy Families program coordinator, even before her baby’s birth. Now, her child, Justice, is a thriving 2-year-old who enjoys greeting everyone he meets. Lydia credits DeWitt as a valuable source of information and support during Justice’s developmental stages.
Lydia Kiyee, a 24-year-old resident of Fargo, explains, “As a first-time mom, it’s kind of nerve-wracking, with a new baby coming into the world. Especially if you don’t have any experience, it helps seeing other people’s perspectives. It’s great for her to be teaching me as the baby grows, keeping me focused on how to raise him. She’s a great woman, and she motivates me.”
Healthy Families visits go beyond mere cheerleading, offering substantial guidance. Home visitors, trained in child development and trauma, educate parents on developmental milestones, promote healthy bonding, and assist with problem-solving. They cover essential topics like pregnancy wellness, parenting skills, child safety, nutrition, stress reduction, and financial well-being.
This voluntary program typically operates from prenatal stages to age 3, starting with weekly home visits and gradually reducing support as parents reach their goals and become more self-sufficient.
Healthy Families serves as a lifeline for new parents, addressing a critical period for child development and parent-child bonding. While some parents face unique challenges like postpartum depression or substance abuse, the program welcomes all new parents looking to provide a healthy start for their children.
Missi Baranko, head of USpireND, a nonprofit organization that took over Healthy Families from Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, emphasizes the importance of the program, saying, “Parenting is one of those journeys that more of the population experiences than doesn’t. It doesn’t come with a handbook. It’s the most rewarding, scary, hard thing we do.”
Although Healthy Families has been in existence for decades, its expansion into the Fargo area is relatively recent. Following the closure of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota in early 2021, Missi Baranko and her team took the reins of Healthy Families to ensure its continuity. The program, which had seen measured growth under LSSND, has significantly expanded its reach under USpireND, now serving 28 counties, including Cass County.
Baranko’s fundraising efforts have been crucial in this expansion, with support from a diverse network of foundations, private funding, individual donations, and government grants. The increasing demand for resources to assist young families has also contributed to the program’s growth.
Healthy Families has shown impressive outcomes, backed by 30 years of research by Healthy Families America, including stronger parent-child bonds, enhanced understanding of child safety and development, reduced child maltreatment, improved maternity health, better school readiness, decreased family violence, and increased economic self-sufficiency.
Enrollment in Healthy Families typically occurs during pregnancy or the first three months of a child’s life. However, parents under significant stress, such as those involved in child welfare services, can join the program until their child’s second birthday and continue until the child turns 5.
Healthy Families primarily receives referrals from birthing centers, public health clinics, developmental screening programs, county and state human-service agencies, and related programs like the WIC nutrition program. Some parents discover Healthy Families through complementary services, such as the partnership with the North Dakota Department of Health Cribs for Kids program, which provides free Pack n’ Plays and sleep-safety tips to eligible new parents.
Lydia Kiyee, who is actively involved in raising her child alongside Justice’s father, appreciated the support Healthy Families offered her as a busy, first-time mother working full-time and studying for her real estate license. She received guidance on postpartum depression and the importance of establishing consistent bedtime routines for her son.
Justice’s father actively shared parenting responsibilities, but as Kiyee experienced postpartum depression, she learned to ask for additional support to rest and take some “me time.”
DeWitt also helped Kiyee establish a positive bedtime routine for Justice, a practice unfamiliar to her. “I wasn’t raised with a bedtime routine or a morning routine,” Kiyee said. As they followed the routine together, Kiyee saw how much her son enjoyed it, recognizing it as an essential aspect of his daily life.
Healthy Families aims to provide invaluable assistance to parents, whether they are first-time parents, enrolled in social services, facing mental health challenges, dealing with postpartum depression, or simply seeking to improve their parenting skills. Enrollment in the program is flexible, emphasizing family well-being and the preservation of parent-child relationships.
Missi Baranko expresses their mission, stating, “Our belief is that there are so many children out there that there’s no way, with even two visitation programs in the community, that we’re going to be able to capture every family. We want to meet families where they are and really look at that family’s well-being.”
Healthy Families’ impact is evident in its service numbers, with 249 families served throughout North Dakota in August 2023, totaling 3,145 visits—a significant increase from two years ago. Cass County alone served 20 families, with 267 visits to date.
Healthy Families caters to a diverse range of parents, offering support and guidance tailored to their unique circumstances. Whether parents require assistance in managing stress, understanding child development, or simply becoming better caregivers, Healthy Families aims to provide the resources and support needed for a healthy and fulfilling family life.
As Missi Baranko aptly summarizes, “Regardless of whether it’s the first baby or the fourth, there are changes happening, and the balancing of family life and taking care of a new baby.” Healthy Families stands as a vital resource to ensure that these changes are met with knowledge, support, and a commitment to family well-being.
