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Healthy Start ~ Healthy Families of Clackamas County

Promote and support positive parenting and healthy growth and development for all Clackamas County parents and their first-born children.

Healthy Start

"May all children and families be safe, happy and healthy."

Healthy Start ~ Healthy Families Services are voluntary and free! Income level does not matter.

Raising a family and having a child in today's world is a big responsibility. It's not always easy to know the "right" thing to do as a parent-who to turn to with a question or who to talk to when things seem overwhelming. We understand that you are your child's first and best teacher, and we want to help you be the best parent you can be. Every child deserves a healthy start!

Many new parents want information about how babies and young children grow and develop. They also want to know what they can do to best support their child’s healthy development and growing brain. Healthy Start ~ Healthy Families is here to help with that by providing home visits and one-on-one parenting support to first time parents.

In recent years as researchers have studied the developing brain we have learned some very important things:

  • The parent/child relationship is the foundation of the child’s healthy development.
  • Children’s development depends on both the traits he or she was born with (nature) and what he or she experiences (nurture).
  • All areas of development (social, emotional, intellectual, language and motor) are linked. Each depends on, and influences, the others.
  • What children experience, including how their parents respond to them, shapes their development as they adapt to the world.

Who is Eligible for Healthy Start ~ Healthy Families?

Anyone in Clackamas County who is expecting or has had their first child in the past three months may be eligible to receive home visits and one-on-one parenting support. All other Clackamas County families with children ages 0-5 may join our play groups.

What is Healthy Start ~ Healthy Families?

We are a collaborative group of social services agencies, early childhood educators, family support workers and volunteers who offer support and services to parents of children ages 0-5 in Clackamas County. We offer a variety of services that give information about parenting, bonding with your baby, healthy infant growth and development as well as resources in your community.

2013 Annual Benefit Dinner!

This year our annual fundraiser is an exquisite dinner held at the beautiful Oregon Golf Club on SW Petes Mountain Road in West Linn Oregon.

 How Do I Get Involved?

You can access our services at no charge because we are funded by grants and private donations. We can answer your questions over the phone, come to your home and meet your family, visit you in the hospital when you have your baby-whatever is convenient and easy for you.

Call Denise or Karen at 503-546-6533 for information about home visits and referrals (Spanish too!)

If you would like to receive a phone call with more information about Healthy Start ~ Healthy Families fill out our online form. We’ll be happy to have someone contact you and help find the resources that will best fit your needs.

Call Wendy at 503-655-8601 for parent child interactive playgroups and to volunteer.

Hearing impaired, Speech impaired or Deaf TTY 1-800-735-2900 (Relay).
To FAX a referral: 503-655-8145

One-on-one parenting support and home visits to first-time parents and their child

Healthy Start ~ Healthy Families offers one-on-one parenting support and home visits. First-time parents who are pregnant with their first child, or who have had their first child in the past three months may receive this support. Services offered both prenatally and after the birth of first baby.

  • Basic infant care
  • Bonding and Attachment
  • Knowing how your baby learns and grows
  • Understanding and coping with the stress of parenting
  • Being the best parent you can be (parenting skills, discipline, toilet training, budgeting)
  • Breast, bottle or other feeding concerns
  • Clothing for you and your baby
  • Health or medical concerns
  • Knowing when to call the doctor
  • Applying for health insurance
  • Community resources

For more information call 503-546-6533.
Hearing impaired, Speech impaired or Deaf TTY 1-800-735-2900 (Relay).

Healthy Start ~ Healthy Families Partners:

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Children, Youth & Families Division
Contact: Erin Deahn, Healthy Start ~ Healthy Families Program Administrator – 503-496-3937
FAX: 503-655-8145
edeahn@co.clackamas.or.us