Healthy Families

JF&CS Healthy Families is a voluntary, confidential home visiting program for first-time pregnant and/or parenting moms and dads 20 years old and younger.

A pregnant woman and a young couple with a baby.

Home visits are provided weekly for the first six months of the baby’s life and then are adjusted to meet the family’s needs until the child turns three. The program works with each family to define their strengths and to set and achieve personal goals, learn about child development and parenting, and work towards becoming the parent they want to be.

*During the COVID-19 situation, all visits are being conducted virtually. JF&CS Healthy Families continues to accept new referrals.

Can I be in Healthy Families Central Middlesex (HFCM)?

To be part of HFCM you must be:

20 years old and younger
A first-time mom or dad
Pregnant or parenting a child under one year old
Living in one of the following towns:
- Acton
- Arlington
- Bedford
- Belmont
- Boxborough
- Burlington
- Cambridge
- Carlisle
- Concord
- Lexington
- Lincoln
- Littleton
- Needham
- Newton
- Somerville
- Waltham
- Watertown
- Wellesley
- Weston
- Wilmington
- Winchester
- Woburn

Can I be in Healthy Families if I move?

Every town in Massachusetts has a Healthy Families program. If you move to a town outside of the ones listed above, we can switch you to the program that covers your new area.

Who will be coming to my house to visit me?

Each participant of HFCM will be assigned a home visitor called a Family Support Advocate (FSA). She will be a trained advocate who is non-judgmental, caring, and has lots of experience with young parents and children. We have advocates who speak English, Spanish, and Italian.

What can Healthy Families do for me and my family?

This program can help moms, dads, and co-parents develop confidence as a parent by providing support during pregnancy and through the first three years of parenting. It will provide child development assessments and information and can help assist you through the many challenges of parenting. Also, there is a focus on helping you become a confident, independent person by working on personal goals and strengths. We can help you access resources, explore housing options, and become an advocate for yourself and your child.

Will I be able to meet other young parents?

Yes! HFCM offers multiple groups each year where you have the opportunity to meet other participants in the program. There are support groups, celebration groups including holiday parties, and parent-child interaction groups like a field trip to go apple picking.