INDIANAPOLIS — A not-for-profit organization that's been around for decades says their adoption and family services are more in demand now than ever before.
The Villages Foster Care runs the Healthy Families program, which pairs parents with a family support worker.
The program aims to start working with families prenatally and can stay with them through the child’s 5th birthday.
“It’s a load off. It’s like a support system outside of your family," Nikeyah Malone said. “If I wasn’t in Healthy Families, mentally I don’t think I would’ve made it this far.”
Nikeyah and her one-year-old son Kadin, who has chronic heart disease, are part of the free, voluntary program. Together with support worker Sarah Gray, the group navigates the ups and downs of parenthood.
"I really want moms and families to feel empowered. Some of them don’t know it’s already in them and they just need someone to come in and point the obvious," Gray said.
700 families are currently enrolled in the program across eight counties.
“This is one of Indiana’s best kept secrets. People don’t realize this program is out here and it’s been here for almost 30 years," Nancy Gwin, senior director of prevention and education for The Villages, said. "We have to turn families away because we don’t have enough room. There is a huge need for programs like this.”
The Villages Healthy Families program is geared towards those living at or below the poverty line.
Family support workers meet with participants through home visits either weekly, bimonthly or monthly.
While the focus is on first time parents, the program is open to helping parents they’ve worked with previously.
To learn more about Healthy Families and connect with The Villages, click here.
-
Bill to redraw Indiana congressional maps heads to Senate after 57‑41 House vote
After nearly four months of debate, the Indiana House on Friday passed a bill that would allow the state’s congressional maps to be redrawn, approving the measure 57-41.
Marian University football season cut short due to eligibility violation
Marian University's football season has been cut short after the NAIA withdrew the program from the NAIA Football Championship Series due to an eligibility violation.
100-year-old IU football fan celebrates historic winning season
Dr. Phyllis Grant, one of the first women to graduate from the IU School of Medicine, has weathered decades of losing seasons from her home near Lincoln Avenue and South Main Street in New Castle.
Mother's boyfriend accepts plea deal in death of 5-year-old Kinsleigh Welty
Ryan Smith, the boyfriend of Kinsleigh Welty's mother, has accepted a guilty plea for neglect resulting in death of a dependent in connection with the 5-year-old's death in April 2024.
