Healthy Families Arizona took the spotlight at this month’s Good Morning Winslow, the monthly networking meeting hosted by the Winslow Chamber of Commerce, where the program’s local team shared how free, voluntary home visits are helping new parents across the area build a strong foundation for their children.
Cynthia McDowell, joined by her colleague DeLeslie Foster, presented on behalf of the program, which is part of the national Healthy Families America network. The network originated in Hawaii to help families access resources, secure safe housing and navigate the often-intimidating early years of parenthood. The Winslow-based team of two covers Winslow, Holbrook and Joseph City within a 50-mile radius.
The program is free and the only requirement to enroll is being pregnant or having a baby under three months old. Families ideally enroll during the prenatal stage, when specialists can help expectant mothers and fathers get connected to prenatal care, work through challenges like depression or unsafe home situations and build a picture of what each family specifically needs. Once enrolled, families stay in the program until their child turns 5, with weekly home visits that cover child development, nutrition, mental health, safe sleep practices and school readiness.
“We teach the parent how to teach,” McDowell explained, describing hands-on activities that get parents down on their child’s level, such as simple exercises like transferring cotton balls with a clothespin that challenge fine motor skills in toddlers. The team also conducts Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) developmental screenings, catching speech delays or motor development concerns early and connecting children with referrals for speech or physical therapy.
The presenters spoke about the program’s non-judgmental approach and its role in preventing child abuse, which often stems from parents under excessive stress. Specialists help families set up emergency contacts, learn stress management and build support networks before a crisis hits. State data backs up the approach: after six months in Healthy Families Arizona, participating families show very low rates of substantiated DCS maltreatment reports.
Visits don’t have to happen at home. McDowell said she’s met families at the library, the park and even the swimming pool and evening and weekend appointments are available. Families who complete their fourth home visit choose a gift such as a stroller, bassinet, or pack-and-play. The program partners locally with Chicanos Por La Causa’s home visiting program and works closely with Little Colorado Medical Center’s pregnancy program.
The Winslow team currently serves about 10 families and has room for six to 10 more, with the ability to hire additional staff if enrollment grows. Referrals can be made by phone at 602-255-2360 and statewide, Healthy Families Arizona operates 47 teams across all 14 Arizona counties.
After the presentation, members spoke to the room about a busy calendar of upcoming community events. Saturday, Aug. 15, will be a full day in Winslow, starting with a pancake breakfast at Little Colorado Medical Center, where a crane will lift the hospital’s new MRI into the atrium, part of a broader growth push that includes a newly contracted endocrinologist and early discussions about bringing an oncology center to the hospital.
That afternoon, the first annual low rider car show rolls onto Route 66; details and volunteer information are available on the centennial calendar at visitwinslow.com. The centennial celebration continues Saturday, Sept. 12, with a 5K color run/walk on Route 66, which still needs volunteers to throw color powder along the route. The Winslow Community Garden hosts its open house Saturday, Sept. 5, featuring the unveiling of a new Route 66 centennial butterfly mural and a garden weathervane, with vendors welcome to sell flowers, baby goods and garden-related items.
Next month’s Good Morning Winslow, on Wednesday, Sept. 2, will be hosted by the Painted Desert Tribune.
