Home Visiting Success Stories
In Their Own Words...
Lilia
My name is Lilia. I had a 10-month-old baby girl when my third child was born. Things got a bit complicated for me because no one is really prepared to handle two very young children at the same time. However, we are capable of learning how to move forward, one day at a time.
As Ana and Aaron started growing up, they would grab and throw their toys everywhere, and shortly after, I would go and pick everything up. I thought I was doing the right thing. But later, I realized I wasn’t, especially when I started receiving visits from Alicia, my Home Visitor. Through her, I began to learn so much and stopped being an overprotective mom.
Little by little, I started letting go and allowed my children to learn things on their own—like drinking water by themselves or eating fruit without me having to cut it up every time. At first, if they cried even a little, I would get anxious. But Alicia taught me that crying doesn’t harm them, that I shouldn’t panic, and that I needed to take things calmly. And over time, that helped me so much. I now have a beautiful experience with the services and visits they provide.
Now, I’m a different person. It’s been almost two and a half years, and I see life—and parenting—in a totally different way. I make time for myself and for many little things, and my kids have made a lot of progress. They eat fruit, drink water on their own, play, get messy—and I’ve learned that the house doesn’t always have to be spotless when there are kids around. Honestly, I’m very thankful to the FNWC program for helping me stimulate my children from home.
The best thing in life is that when you feel stuck or don’t know how to handle something, it’s good to have professionals like Alicia to count on. I had told her I couldn’t get around easily, and thank God, she helped me get a double stroller, which allowed me to go out walking—even jogging with my kids and reduce my anxiety. It was also hard for me to afford it since only my husband was working, and I’m genuinely grateful for the program.
Melanie
My home visitor has helped me a lot mentally and made me feel heard. I’ve learned a lot about child development, being more open and comfortable sharing my feelings, and learning to understand my child better. I am grateful.
Katerin
I appreciate this program because it has made a significant difference in my life. As a young mother, it can be challenging to assess whether I am doing a good job as a parent. Now, I feel that if I'm ever unsure, I can always ask my home visitor. As she often reminds me, "Have you talked to his pediatrician about your concerns?" Currently, I have a school therapist that my home visitor recommended, and I can see that my life is heading in a positive direction.
Brithney
I appreciate this program because it helped me connect with my baby, realize that I am not alone, and that there are resources and support available for us. The guidance from my home visitor is invaluable; she always provides me with ideas on how to play and teach simultaneously to make it enjoyable. I feel confident asking about any concerns I have regarding my baby without feeling judged by others. I recommend this program, and I tell others how it helped me.
Past Success Stories...
Lisa's Story
Lisa was 21 years old when she was surprised by an unplanned pregnancy. She and her fiancé (20 years her senior) had intended to relocate to the West Coast where she would finish her degree and he would retire early. Instead, they decided to postpone their wedding, move in together, and stay local to be near both sets of grandparents.
Lisa had experienced bouts of depression in the past and was very concerned about post-partum depression. She was also concerned about the differences in the ways she and her partner were raised and how those differences might affect their parenting styles and their ability to co-parent their new baby.
Through weekly home visits provided by Families Network of Western Connecticut, Lisa was able to gain confidence and enthusiasm for learning about newborns and developing babies. Her home visitor helps her sift through recent research, the latest “how-to” books, and the seemingly endless unsolicited advice and old wives’ tales from well-intentioned relatives.
Together, she and her partner look forward to the Ages & Stages developmental screenings their daughter receives every four months, and they take joy in watching their daughter grow and learn.
Lisa monitors her moods and regularly shares her concerns with her home visitor about anxiety and depression. Now she has the referral information she needs should she need counseling and/or medication.
Thanks to home visiting from Families Network, this new family is off to a great start!
Sofia's Story
Eighteen-year-old Sofia became pregnant during the pandemic and starting living with her boyfriend. Out of touch with the high school she was attending because of her life situation and remote learning, she was under the impression that she couldn’t graduate and that the obstacles to obtaining her diploma were too overwhelming. Sofia had been part of Families Network’s Healthy Families home visitation program but had lost touch with her home visitors as well. When the Healthy Families staff called in 2021 to reconnect with her and tell her they had a free Thanksgiving turkey for her family, she told them that she didn’t think she could get her degree. The staff investigated and learned that Sofia was very close to graduating—she just had to finish a few simple steps.
Thanks to her involvement with Families Network, Sofia now has a High School Diploma, making her much more employable, and she has obtained a job. She also gained important parenting skills and knowledge of child development. Sofia gained the confidence to effectively advocate for her child’s dietary needs at the day care center she attends, a skill she can use throughout her child’s life. Her involvement with Families Network and the Healthy Families program put her, and her child, on a path to a better life.
Maria's Story
Maria became pregnant for the first time at age 26. She and her partner have a stable, loving relationship. But Maria has liver problems that made her pregnancy difficult, and the baby was born early at 36 weeks. Her son was soon diagnosed with torticollis, a condition that requires physical therapy for the baby. The Parents As Teachers staff members at Families Network helped Maria learn to be an advocate for the medical needs of both her son and herself. She now knows that she has a right to see doctors that she likes and can communicate well with. Her connection with Families Network has ensured a healthier future for Maria and her son.
Lilia
My name is Lilia. I had a 10-month-old baby girl when my third child was born. Things got a bit complicated for me because no one is really prepared to handle two very young children at the same time. However, we are capable of learning how to move forward, one day at a time.
As Ana and Aaron started growing up, they would grab and throw their toys everywhere, and shortly after, I would go and pick everything up. I thought I was doing the right thing. But later, I realized I wasn’t, especially when I started receiving visits from Alicia, my Home Visitor. Through her, I began to learn so much and stopped being an overprotective mom.
Little by little, I started letting go and allowed my children to learn things on their own—like drinking water by themselves or eating fruit without me having to cut it up every time. At first, if they cried even a little, I would get anxious. But Alicia taught me that crying doesn’t harm them, that I shouldn’t panic, and that I needed to take things calmly. And over time, that helped me so much. I now have a beautiful experience with the services and visits they provide.
Now, I’m a different person. It’s been almost two and a half years, and I see life—and parenting—in a totally different way. I make time for myself and for many little things, and my kids have made a lot of progress. They eat fruit, drink water on their own, play, get messy—and I’ve learned that the house doesn’t always have to be spotless when there are kids around. Honestly, I’m very thankful to the FNWC program for helping me stimulate my children from home.
The best thing in life is that when you feel stuck or don’t know how to handle something, it’s good to have professionals like Alicia to count on. I had told her I couldn’t get around easily, and thank God, she helped me get a double stroller, which allowed me to go out walking—even jogging with my kids and reduce my anxiety. It was also hard for me to afford it since only my husband was working, and I’m genuinely grateful for the program.
Melanie
My home visitor has helped me a lot mentally and made me feel heard. I’ve learned a lot about child development, being more open and comfortable sharing my feelings, and learning to understand my child better. I am grateful.
Katerin
I appreciate this program because it has made a significant difference in my life. As a young mother, it can be challenging to assess whether I am doing a good job as a parent. Now, I feel that if I'm ever unsure, I can always ask my home visitor. As she often reminds me, "Have you talked to his pediatrician about your concerns?" Currently, I have a school therapist that my home visitor recommended, and I can see that my life is heading in a positive direction.
Brithney
I appreciate this program because it helped me connect with my baby, realize that I am not alone, and that there are resources and support available for us. The guidance from my home visitor is invaluable; she always provides me with ideas on how to play and teach simultaneously to make it enjoyable. I feel confident asking about any concerns I have regarding my baby without feeling judged by others. I recommend this program, and I tell others how it helped me.
Past Success Stories...
Lisa's Story
Lisa was 21 years old when she was surprised by an unplanned pregnancy. She and her fiancé (20 years her senior) had intended to relocate to the West Coast where she would finish her degree and he would retire early. Instead, they decided to postpone their wedding, move in together, and stay local to be near both sets of grandparents.
Lisa had experienced bouts of depression in the past and was very concerned about post-partum depression. She was also concerned about the differences in the ways she and her partner were raised and how those differences might affect their parenting styles and their ability to co-parent their new baby.
Through weekly home visits provided by Families Network of Western Connecticut, Lisa was able to gain confidence and enthusiasm for learning about newborns and developing babies. Her home visitor helps her sift through recent research, the latest “how-to” books, and the seemingly endless unsolicited advice and old wives’ tales from well-intentioned relatives.
Together, she and her partner look forward to the Ages & Stages developmental screenings their daughter receives every four months, and they take joy in watching their daughter grow and learn.
Lisa monitors her moods and regularly shares her concerns with her home visitor about anxiety and depression. Now she has the referral information she needs should she need counseling and/or medication.
Thanks to home visiting from Families Network, this new family is off to a great start!
Sofia's Story
Eighteen-year-old Sofia became pregnant during the pandemic and starting living with her boyfriend. Out of touch with the high school she was attending because of her life situation and remote learning, she was under the impression that she couldn’t graduate and that the obstacles to obtaining her diploma were too overwhelming. Sofia had been part of Families Network’s Healthy Families home visitation program but had lost touch with her home visitors as well. When the Healthy Families staff called in 2021 to reconnect with her and tell her they had a free Thanksgiving turkey for her family, she told them that she didn’t think she could get her degree. The staff investigated and learned that Sofia was very close to graduating—she just had to finish a few simple steps.
Thanks to her involvement with Families Network, Sofia now has a High School Diploma, making her much more employable, and she has obtained a job. She also gained important parenting skills and knowledge of child development. Sofia gained the confidence to effectively advocate for her child’s dietary needs at the day care center she attends, a skill she can use throughout her child’s life. Her involvement with Families Network and the Healthy Families program put her, and her child, on a path to a better life.
Maria's Story
Maria became pregnant for the first time at age 26. She and her partner have a stable, loving relationship. But Maria has liver problems that made her pregnancy difficult, and the baby was born early at 36 weeks. Her son was soon diagnosed with torticollis, a condition that requires physical therapy for the baby. The Parents As Teachers staff members at Families Network helped Maria learn to be an advocate for the medical needs of both her son and herself. She now knows that she has a right to see doctors that she likes and can communicate well with. Her connection with Families Network has ensured a healthier future for Maria and her son.
