The biggest thing for most children growing up is seeing their father in the house or just having them in their life. – Darvell Huffman

Darvell Huffman, a Social Worker at HealthNet Barrington Health & Dental Center says becoming a father “was the biggest joy of my life. My entire train of thought completely changed.” Preparing to be a dad can be scary, but HealthNet’s Best Father Program can help you prepare for fatherhood and the future.

This free program for fathers or expectant fathers (16 to 35) covers topics such as:

• Building/Improving Father/Child Relationships
• Parenting Skills and Child Development
• Co-parenting and Respecting Your Child’s Mother
• Healthy Relationship Building
• Manhood Development Sessions
• Healthy Sex Education
• Money Management/Credit Repair Education
• Employment Preparation
• Marketplace and Medicaid insurance sign up
• Social Service Referrals & Medical Care
• College Prep
• Counseling and much more.

Participants who complete the entire program will receive a $50 Wal-Mart gift card. Interview clothing and weekly transportation assistance is also provided.

Where: Northeast Health Center (Located inside the Avondale Meadows Health & Wellness Center – 3908 Meadows Drive, 46205, 2nd Floor)

Time: Classes are from 8:30 am – Noon, Fridays October 30 – December 18

Cost: Free

To register for the program or for more information, contact Cassandra Jones, Community Social Worker, at 317-957-2150 or Lauresa Garnett, Community Social Worker, at 317-957-2350.

Why did you become a social worker?
I chose to become a social worker because I wanted to have a career where I could make a difference in the lives of individuals and families who are socially and/or economically challenged.  As a social worker, I connect clients to the resources and referrals that will best serve their needs, and help them to become self-sufficient. Social work also enables me to give clients the support that they are in need of, which often gives clients a greater sense of empowerment and the motivation they need to make a positive change in their lives. When I look back, I realize that I was destined to be a social worker. It was a part of me all along, and my calling from God. Once I choose to walk into my calling, everything fell in line.

What can you assist families or individuals with?
The social work team assists families, individuals, children and elderly adults with a variety of resources and referral sources that will best serve their needs. Some of these include, but are not limited to the following:

• food pantries
• homeless and domestic violence shelters
• utility assistance, clothing and furniture
• childcare
• elderly resources
• medication assistance
• Marketplace insurance
• High School Equivalency classes

We also refer pregnant women or new moms to HealthNet’s Healthy Families Program who can assist them with car seats, cribs, baby clothes, supplies and support. The social work team also assists clients with transportation for doctor appointments through our cab and bus ticket program. We also utilize and promote other HealthNet programs, such as our Medical-Legal Partnership and Best Father Program.

What is the most satisfying part of your job?
The most satisfying part of my job is when clients follow through and utilize the resources and referrals sources that I provide them with. Another very satisfying part of my job is when I have clients who for no special reason at all ask to see me just so they can talk for a few minutes and thank me for the help and support I have showed them.

To learn more about HealthNet Social Work department, visit www.indyhealthnet.org.

HealthNet, in partnership with the Fathers and Families Center have created a workshop “Best Father” to connect young men with the tools needed to be the “Best Father” in their children lives. Our “Best Father” workshop is filled with information, fun and fellowship among men! Some topics that are discussed include:

Post by Lauresa Garnett

Did you know February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month? According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, almost 1 in 10 teens reports being physically abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the last year.

Teens who suffer dating abuse are subject to long-term consequences like alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide, and violent behavior.  A striking 33 percent of adolescents in America are victim to sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional dating abuse and every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.  Domestic violence and teen violence are just one of the many issues we address as Social Worker’s with HealthNet.  We assist patients with getting into domestic violence shelters, as well and creating a safety plan for those who are unable to leave immediately.  We provide them with resources for their families by connecting them to community agencies.

Every year our social work team makes aware of this issue by having a question and answer contest with all of HealthNet employees.  Lauresa Garnett and Donna Richardson are two of Healthnet’s social workers who are also a part of the IU Health Domestic Violence Coalition.  An organization developed and participated by IU Health employees who are concerns about this topic of abuse; this group exists to bring better awareness of abuse to our staff and patients.

For more information about HealthNet’s Social Services Department, please visit www.indyhealthnet.org.