February 2, 2001

REP. MUSHINSKY SEEKS TO EXPAND
THE HEALTHY FAMILIES PROGRAM STATEWIDE

State Representatives Mary Mushinsky and Nancy Beals (D-Hamden) are sponsoring proposed legislation to require the state-wide expansion of the Healthy Families/First Step Program in order to support families and children at risk. The bill drew favorable testimony from young parents at a hearing of the Select Committee on Children held on February 1.

"This program is a winner. It’s time to branch out," said Mushinsky, House Chair of Select Committee on Children. "This initiative offers services to parents and infants at a very critical time in their lives."

Each year in Connecticut approximately 50,000 babies are born. Twenty percent or ten thousand of these babies are born into situations where there is clear risk of child abuse and neglect.

In 1998, approximately 13,000 children were born to single parents. Research has shown that children born into single parent homes are at a 22% increased risk of child abuse and neglect. In 1998, approximately 3,500 teenagers gave birth. Studies indicate that 50% of all abuse involves teen parents. Poverty, social isolation, family history of abuse, substance abuse, and domestic violence are among other factors that can put a child at risk.

Rep. Mushinsky said expansion of the proven program is the most reliable way to cut child neglect and abuse in Connecticut, "In order to prevent the numbers from increasing, it is crucial that we take action now to foster better homes and healthier children."

Healthy Families Connecticut is a home visitation program intended to strengthen overburdened families through parent education and support. The program prevents child abuse and neglect by engaging and supporting families when their first baby is born - a critical point in their lives - and before a crisis occurs. The program has three components: First Steps, Home Visiting and Nurturing Groups.

First Steps is a mechanism for contacting and screening all first-time mothers. High risk mothers are offered intensive home visiting services and low-risk mothers are offered up to six months of parenting information, support and community referrals.

The second component, Home Visiting services, is being provided to approximately 1,000 vulnerable families at high risk of abusing, neglecting or abandoning their children. Home visitors work with the family, on average, for sixteen months.

Finally, the Nurturing Program, an intensive 26 week group for parents, is directly aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect. The curriculum teaches families appropriate expectations, fosters empathetic understanding and strategies for enhancing the well-being of children.

Healthy Families is offered to young parents at 16 maternal hospitals. Rep. Mushinsky said the program must add another 13 hospitals to achieve statewide coverage. Also, the program could potentially help an estimated 11,000-13,000 at risk children if expanded.

"We can decide to invest in these families now and reap benefits in the future from savings in special education, mental health, child protective services, and corrections," Mushinsky said.