Posted November 19, 2023
Meet Noelle and Harrison – Help Me Grow Home Visiting Clients
Having questions and concerns during pregnancy or after birth is something many parents and/or women go through but did you know that Catholic Charities has a program that could help?
Help Me Grow Home Visiting (HMG) is a free, evidence-based home visiting program that provides at-home support for pregnant women, new parents, and caregivers who reside in the 8 counties that make up the Diocese of Cleveland.
“We have been doing the home visiting for about six months. He was born March 29th, so this is my first child, my first time kind of going through this type of thing,” HMG Home Visiting client Noelle said.
Before leaving the hospital with Harrison and her husband, the staff was able to give Noelle the information she needed to make that first connection with a home visitor.
“I was definitely more than willing to have somebody come to my home once a week because I’m a stay-at-home mom now,” Noelle said, “…I was like you know for my mental health as well I go, ‘let’s go ahead and do this program,’”
During home visits, the parent(s) will sit down and talk with their home visitor about any concerns or questions they might have as well as developmental needs, curriculum, and more.
“I’ve seen them [Harrison] develop so much… just from him being such a small nugget, and now he’s bouncing up and down, he smiles, he’s making noises, he’s rolling over, he’s almost crawling,” HMG Home Visitor Jackie Barnhart said.
Like with any program, it’s important to take the tools you learn and put them towards everyday life.
“Mom just takes everything we talk about and she uses it and she gives me updates, and she talks about how much things have helped her,” Jackie said.
The parent(s) not only get to see how the tools they put into place work out, but the home visitor is there every step of the way to lend a hand when needed.
“…just to see the development and how the child has gone from a little baby to walking and talking and going off to preschool. It’s so rewarding,” Jackie said.
Most parents wish for their child to be smart, caring, brave, and more, but Noelle focuses on how she wants her child to feel safe with her along with being smart, caring, and brave.
“I know I trusted my mother when I was growing up because she made me feel safe, and that’s just what I want for him, for him to feel safe and tell me things,” Noelle said.
HMG is not only a program to help parent(s) gain tools to have successful child development but is also there to be a support system for parent(s).
“Having somebody like Jackie or Help Me Grows in general just come to just check in on you and say like, ‘Hey, we’re here for you if you need,’ is incredible,” Noelle said, “Every mom, every parent, every dad, anybody should do it.”
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about Catholic Charities Help Me Grow Home Visiting program, click the button below.
Part of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
