HOPES program gives new moms and families a helping hand and stays active in the community

Being a new mom can be a very scary and stressful time even when a woman is looking forward to her new baby.  This hectic time can be made even more difficult if a family faces some difficult times and is worried about having enough support before and after the baby arrives.  Luckily, a program offered through the Wright County Public Health Department can offer assistance to expectant and new mothers. The Healthy Opportunities for Parents to Experience Success (HOPES) Program is a voluntary home visitation program for families living in Wright County.

            HOPES is a free program that moms and families in the area can apply to be part of if they are expecting a child or have a child between zero and three years of age and meet certain eligibility requirements. Gayleen Rutherford, HOPES Program Manager, notes that they accept moms and families into the program after the baby has been born but it is even better if the mom can be involved prenatally. She says, “Stats show the earlier we’re able to get involved with families and babies, the more successful they’ll be in the long run.”

For the full story, see the September 6th edition of the Monitor.