Adirondack Birth to Three Alliance member Healthy Families New York will help 45 additional new and expectant families thrive thanks to a five-year, $1 million state grant – an award that other Alliance members played an instrumental role in securing.
The grant, from the New York State Office of Children and Families, will allow Healthy Families to expand its home visiting program to families in Franklin County and the Saint Regis Mohawk Reservation. It had been active only in Clinton County.
The grant will also fund parent outreach and education programs in Essex County.
Healthy Families will hire two full time staff members to support its expanded services, which help families locate medical care, learn parenting skills and access community resources and services.
Esther Piper, Healthy Families' program director, said the Office of Children and Families noted the collaboration that took place in developing the proposal as a factor in deciding to award the funds. Members of the Alliance's steering committee helped Piper write the grant, and directors from each health department affected by the proposal reached out across county lines to form a public-private partnership.
Piper said, "I want to personally thank Adirondack Birth to Three for your support and availability, but more importantly for believing in our program and defining what it means to be partners!"
The grant will begin on Dec. 1, 2016.
