The family support worker, supervisor, and family determine the intensity of services based on a family’s progression through the HANDS program and their assessed need. Families progress as they successfully meet criteria outlined in the level system, which includes six options: Level 1-P (prenatal), Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and Level 0. It is not expected that all families will move through all levels. Home visits average an hour in duration.
Level 1-P: Adults and teens who enter the program prenatally have the option to receive weekly visits. The visits focus on obtaining regular prenatal care and topics such as fetal development, early brain development, preparation for newborn care, injury prevention, and community resources.
Level 1: Families that enter the program during the infant’s first three months are assigned to Level 1. Families receive weekly visits for a minimum of 9 to 12 months. The visits focus on observing parent-child interaction and conducting activities to promote bonding, attachment, and positive parent-child interaction.
Level 2: Families receive biweekly visits (phone/other contact between visits). The visits include activities to promote positive parent-child interaction, family life stability, and self-sufficiency.
Level 3: Families receive monthly visits (phone/other contact between visits). The focus of the visits continues to be the promotion of positive parent-child interaction, family life stability, and self-sufficiency.
Level 4: Families receive visits every three months until age 2. The focus of the visits is monitoring health, development, and progress toward goals.
Level 0: These families have not chosen to receive HANDS visits after four weeks of outreach.