Family Connection reaches milestone

The Iowa Department of Management and Public Health is pleased to announce that The Family Connection program, Washington County Public Health and Home Care of Washington County has earned the Iowa Family Support Credential. The Family Connection program is the 54th Iowa program to earn this honored distinction. The Iowa Family Support Credential is awarded to family support and parent education programs that are validated through an external evaluation to be in substantial adherence to the Iowa Family Support Standards.

The Iowa Family Support Standards are based on the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice in the family support field. Adherence to the standards indicates that the program is providing high quality services that will result in positive outcomes for young children and their families. The Family Connection program diligently worked toward meeting all of the 139 standards over the course of more than two years with the assistance of a program specialist. A peer review was conducted by trained peers from central Iowa to validate the program?s adherence to the standards. The Iowa Family Support Credential is valid for five years.

The Family Connection will celebrate this achievement with a gathering at the Washington Public Library on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Washington State Bank and Nicola Stoufer rooms. Janet Horras, State Home Visitation Program director, will share a history of the process and formally present the credential award to program staff and administrators.