Evidence of Effectiveness
HFA Strengthens Parent-Child Relationships
Positive Parenting Practices
HFA parents are more confident as parents and more likely to parent in ways that promote healthy child development. They interact more positively with their children and create safer and higher quality home environments.
Child Maltreatment
HFA improves child safety and prevents maltreatment, particularly for first-time parents who enroll prenatally. HFA parents also use more positive discipline, with less physical punishment and yelling. For families already involved with child welfare, recurrence of maltreatment was reduced by one-third.
HFA Promotes Healthy Child Development
Child Health
HFA parents have fewer low-birthweight infants, and more moms choose to breastfeed. HFA children receive more well-child visits and developmental screenings.
Child Development & School Readiness
HFA children show enhanced cognitive development and have fewer behavior problems. By the end of first grade, more HFA children excel academically and fewer are retained or receive special education services.
HFA Enhances Family Well-Being
Maternal Health and Wellness
HFA moms show improved mental health, lowered parenting stress, and increased avoidance of risky behaviors (including reducing alcohol and marijuana use by nearly half and increasing the use of condoms by almost 40%).
Economic Self-Sufficiency
HFA moms are more likely to continue their education. HFA moms are 5 times more likely to enroll and participate in school and training programs, and teen moms are nearly twice as likely to complete at least one year of college compared to teen moms not receiving HFA. Children are more likely to have health insurance and fewer moms report being homeless in the six years since enrollment in HFA.
Linkages and Referrals
HFA reduces barriers and connects families with essential community services, including referrals to health services and links to economic supports such as TANF and SNAP benefits.
Family Violence
In HFA families, there is less intimate partner violence and fewer incidents resulting in injury.
peer-reviewed published articles
HFA’s most rigorous evidence includes 35+ peer-reviewed published articles and 14 randomized control trials that compare outcomes for families enrolled in HFA to those not offered HFA services.
years
Research over the past 30 years has shown positive results and sustained impact with HFA families in geographically and racially diverse communities experiencing various amounts of stress and challenge.
return per $1 invested
Every $1 dollar spent on HFA produces an estimated Return on Investment (ROI) of $1.43 in benefits for families and society.
For some families, ROI is even higher. A seven year study on HFA found an ROI of $3.16 ($5.11 in 2022 dollars) for families involved with child welfare.
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Evaluations by State
HFA’s impact has been validated by more than 40 evaluation studies in 22 states.
HFA’s Return on Investment (ROI)
For every $1 invested in Healthy Families America, communities get a return of $1.43, and even greater benefits ($3.16) for families involved with Child Welfare
HFA Prevents Child Abuse and Neglect
HFA demonstrates positive outcomes for children and families, including reductions in child abuse and neglect.
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