How can a family support program have an impact on communities? Our research shows that Healthy Families America does this in many ways! Expanding, or “scaling up”, Healthy Families America to serve the entire community offers measurable improvements on child and family well-being. Further, Healthy Families America builds and sustains community partnerships through the creation of community advisory boards, staff training on local family resources, linkages and referrals, and more.
A ground-breaking study commissioned by Hampton Virginia city leaders found significant community benefits to the Healthy Families America program(VA5). 
Delaying subsequent pregnancies helps young families achieve greater financial security. More HFA moms waited at least two years to have another child (FL4, NC, VA2b). HFA also improves birth outcomes, including low birth weight, a problem with tremendous public and personal costs. When moms enroll in HFA before the third trimester, studies report positive impacts on birth weight (NY2, FL3, DC, NJ1, VA4), and fewer birth complications (VA2).
The largest long-term rigorous study of HFA to date (NY2) shows impacts on academic success, with fewer children retained in first grade or receiving special education services. Other rigorous studies show early indicators of school readiness (AK, CA, GA, NY1).
In multiple studies, HFA parents show significant gains in their education (AZ2, CA, NY1, DC, FL4, MA1, MD2, NJ1) that can lead to increased family income and tax base.
Several rigorous studies show reductions in child maltreatment measured via parent self-report (AK, AZ2, CA, HI2, NY2), or substantiated reports (HI1, VA5). Strongest results on substantiated reports are for select subgroups (MA2, NY2, FL4, OR), such as first-time moms who enrolled prenatally (NY2).
At full-scale (serving an entire community), Healthy Families America has the potential to impact the community across the board and achieve community-wide benefits, including intermediate system change and long-term impacts on community health.
NOTE: State abbreviations and numbers (i.e. AZ1) refer to evaluation studies; those in italics indicate Randomized Control Trials.
Learn how the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) gives states, territories, and tribes the option to use child welfare programming funds (Title IV-E federal funds) for evidence-based preventive services.
Healthy Families America helps parents develop their personal resources to improve family functioning, strengthen the parent-child relationship, promote child well-being, and prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
What is Healthy Families America’s impact on children? Our research says its both significant and positive.
