The Healthy Families America (HFA) affiliate, — the YWCA of Hawaii Island Healthy Start Program — has been accredited by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) as a provider of high quality home visiting services to families who want to improve their child’s health, nutrition and developmental outcomes.
The Healthy Families America (HFA) affiliate, — the YWCA of Hawaii Island Healthy Start Program — has been accredited by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) as a provider of high quality home visiting services to families who want to improve their child’s health, nutrition and developmental outcomes.
HFA is a signature program of PCA America that has provided home visiting services for more than 20 years. Expecting and new parents have common questions about their child’s development. HFA connects with families through community partners such as hospitals and pediatricians to find the answers to their questions, meeting within the familiarity and convenience of the family’s home.
“Parents want to be good parents; and as parents we all have had many questions when it comes to raising a child,” said Jim Hmurovich, president and CEO of PCA America. “HFA’s well-trained home visitors are trusted sources in their own communities. They help provide answers to those questions, individualized support when it is needed most, and linkages to other community services.
“HFA requires community agency involvement and the commitment of community leaders. As we congratulate YWCA of Hawaii Island — Healthy Start Program, we also recognize the state and community leadership that has contributed to success in East Hawaii.”
The accreditation process is based upon a stringent set of 12 critical elements grounded in more than 30 years of research. The process involves an in-depth examination of the site’s operation, as well as, the quality of the visits made by HFA home visitors.
“We commend the YWCA of Hawaii Island Healthy Start Program for opening itself up to such an intensive review process,” said Cydney Wessel, national director of HFA. “We believe that all families and all communities deserve access to quality home visiting services.”
The HFA site in East Hawaii is located at 1382 Kilauea Ave. in Hilo.
For more information, visit www.ywcahawaiiisland.org or call 930-5755.
“We are very humbled and honored by the Healthy Families America accreditation experience and this vote of confidence shows the YWCA of Hawaii Island Healthy Start Program is on the right track to providing high quality home visitation services. I truly believe the key to our success is rooted within the program’s staff who are strength-based, family centered, relationship focused, culturally competent, and passionate about their work with children and families,” said Andy Kahili, program director.
The YWCA’s Healthy Start Program is the first to be accredited in the state of Hawaii. Other programs in the state are scheduled for accreditation visits in 2015.