Parent & Caregiver May Fireside Chat

The Family Leadership Team held its virtual May Parent-Caregiver Fireside Chat with co-host, Holly Frye, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

Participants learned about the KDHE Universal Home Visiting program, from who can participate in the program (all prenatal through 12 months post-partum individuals and their infants) to when and where visits occur (in or out of the home); how to get connected. and program locations across Kansas; and how Universal Home Visiting can provide education as well as connection to partner services to support families and children as they age. Among the participants were parents and caregivers who are also representatives from other home visiting programs, which provided engaged discussions about similarities, differences, and connection points.

The visual notes drawn by Sara O’Keeffe depict the goals of home visiting: to learn about the family, provide support through education, developmental screening (ASQ’s), and connect families to resources such as housing, food, healthcare and other identified needs. Home visitors come prepared with activities geared toward the child’s age and interest. The early years with children are such an overwhelming time, home visitors are there to assist with accessing resources by scheduling appointments, filling out applications, etc. Families are referred to home visiting services by hospitals, WIC, OBGYN offices, and the health department and meet families where they are, letting the family choose where to meet and determine the amount of visits.

KDHE works with 45 organizations providing training, resources, financial and peer supports, with goals to expand services provided to families.

This event is led by the Family Leadership Team, in alignment with the All In For Kansas Kids Strategic Plan, with support from the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research (KU-CPPR) and Orange Sparkle Ball (OSB). If you are interested in learning more and/or being a part of the Family Leadership Team, please contact Cora Ungerer at cora.ungerer@ks.gov

Parent-Provider May Fireside Chat

Parent & Caregiver May Fireside Chat

The Family Leadership Team held its virtual May Parent-Caregiver Fireside Chat with co-host, Holly Frye, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

Participants learned about the KDHE Universal Home Visiting program, from who can participate in the program (all prenatal through 12 months post-partum individuals and their infants) to when and where visits occur (in or out of the home); how to get connected. and program locations across Kansas; and how Universal Home Visiting can provide education as well as connection to partner services to support families and children as they age. Among the participants were parents and caregivers who are also representatives from other home visiting programs, which provided engaged discussions about similarities, differences, and connection points.

The visual notes drawn by Sara O’Keeffe depict the goals of home visiting: to learn about the family, provide support through education, developmental screening (ASQ’s), and connect families to resources such as housing, food, healthcare and other identified needs. Home visitors come prepared with activities geared toward the child’s age and interest. The early years with children are such an overwhelming time, home visitors are there to assist with accessing resources by scheduling appointments, filling out applications, etc. Families are referred to home visiting services by hospitals, WIC, OBGYN offices, and the health department and meet families where they are, letting the family choose where to meet and determine the amount of visits.

KDHE works with 45 organizations providing training, resources, financial and peer supports, with goals to expand services provided to families.

This event is led by the Family Leadership Team, in alignment with the All In For Kansas Kids Strategic Plan, with support from the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research (KU-CPPR) and Orange Sparkle Ball (OSB). If you are interested in learning more and/or being a part of the Family Leadership Team, please contact Cora Ungerer at cora.ungerer@ks.gov

Parent-Provider May Fireside Chat