Family Support Services
Boston Neighborhoods Healthy Families
CWU’s Boston Neighborhoods Healthy Families program helps pregnant and first-time parents, 24 years old or younger, develop strong parenting skills and build the groundwork for long-term economic self-sufficiency. This free home-visiting program supports young parents until their child’s third birthday.
How it works
Trained home visitors provide support and guidance to first-time moms and dads. Services include child development screenings, parent education and support groups, goal setting, and referrals to local community resources for child care and housing. Home visits are scheduled at a convenient time and location for parents. Initially, visits are scheduled weekly and decrease to bi-weekly and monthly over the course of involvement.
Families also enjoy family-focused social and celebratory events and take field trips to museums, zoos, libraries and parks. Parent participants set goals for themselves to support their economic self-sufficiency, often pursing further education, job training, and workplace advancement.
Why become a Healthy Families parent
Research shows that Healthy Families parent participants have:
- Healthier children—physically, socially, and emotionally
- Higher attainment of education and better wages
- Lower reports of child abuse and neglect
- Fewer unintended pregnancies during their teen years
Who is eligible
If you live in Allston, Back Bay, Brighton, Brookline, Chinatown, Downtown Boston, Fenway, Hyde Park, Kenmore, Mattapan, Roslindale or West Roxbury and are a
- First-time mom or dad (24 years old or younger)
- Pregnant or have a child one year of age or younger
CWU’s Boston Neighborhoods Healthy Families program is funded by the Children's Trust Fund (CTF), a Boston-based child advocacy group, and is based on the national model of Healthy Families America.
