The Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program is based on several key assumptions:
- All families have strengths.
- Families are responsible for their children.
- Families are the primary decision makers regarding their children.
- Communities recognize their roles in children’s lives.
- Communities recognize that all children must succeed.
- Prevention and early intervention improve the community’s well-being.
- Public and private partnerships are vital to a successful program.