H.A.N.D.S. Contacts
Main Office- 606-674-8716
Tena Oney- 606-336-1072
Renee Hembree- 606-776-4253
 
 H.A.N.D.S. Believes Minimize
  • All parents want to be good parents.
  • All parents want their children to be healthy.
  • 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.
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 Impact of H.A.N.D.S. Minimize

Those who participate in H.A.N.D.S. experience:

  • Fewer premature infants
  • Fewer low birthweight babies
  • Fewer developmental delays

Parents report improvements in their:

  • Home's safety
  • Coping Skills
  • Support System
  • Amount of Stress
  • Discipline techniques
  • Anger Management Skills
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 Locations and Programs Minimize
  
 H.A.N.D.S. Minimize

Health Access Nurturing Development Services

Pregnancy and becoming a parent for the first time can be overwhelming experiences, which come with worries, questions and stress. Parents may wonder:

  • Are the feelings I'm having about my pregnancy typical?
  • What physical changes and discomforts can be expected during pregnancy?
  • What should I know before delivery and before bringing my baby home?
  • How do I know what my baby needs when he cries?
  • How do I help my baby feel secure and loved?
  • When should my child begin walking and talking?
  • How important is a dad's role in a child's development?

H.A.N.D.S. can answer these kinds of questions and provide parents with support in developing a parent-child relationship.

Who can participate? First-time, new and expectant moms and dads.

What parents can expect from H.A.N.D.S

All families will receive information and learn about community resources for new parents and engage in fun activities to learn more about:

  • Having a healthy pregnancy
  • Caring for their baby
  • How to bond with their child
  • How to provide their child with enriching learning experiences
  • Creating a safe and healthy home
  • Child development
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 H.A.N.D.S. Testimonial Minimize

"I feel like H.A.N.D.S. helped me to know my son on a whole new level. I feel like I have a much better understanding of him and that means so much to both of us. Even before he was born H.A.N.D.S. helped me know and love him better. Thanks for your patience. Thanks for everything! - A H.A.N.D.S. Parent
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Donna Stamper danicab.stamper@ky.gov
Gateway District: (606) 674-3204
FIVCO District: (606) 929-9155
 What is First Steps? Minimize

First Steps is a statewide early intervention system that provides services to children with developmental disabilities from birth to age 3 and their families. First steps offers comprehensive services through a variety of community agencies and service disciplines and is administered by the Department for Public Health in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
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 Who may be eligible for First Steps Minimize

A child may be eligible for services if an evaluation shows that a child is not developing typically in at least one of the following skill areas: communication, cognition, physcial, social and emotional or self-help. A Child may be eligible if he of she receives a diagnosis of a physical or mental condition with high probability of resulting developmental delay, such as Down Syndrome.

First Steps can help answer questions that parents frequently have about their child's growth and development such as:

  • My child is one year old. Why are they not walking by themselves?
  • How many words should my child know by age 2?
  • Why does my child have trouble playing with other children?

Children with developmental delays or conditions likely to cause delays benefit greatly from First Steps services during critical developmental years.

 
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