HealthNet provides great company and great family (and sometimes great food) to all of our patients that we serve.  Specifically during the holidays, many of our Health Centers provide an atmosphere to celebrate.

• The holiday spirit is spread throughout the Barrington Health Center when families participate in the Toys for Tots program.  Families in need come by two weeks before Christmas and receive toys from our social workers to provide their children a loving and fun Christmas.

• Our Martindale-Brightwood Health & Dental Center partnered with our People’s Health Center to provide a holiday party for their patients.  The sense of community brings the great company and the great family aspect of the holiday celebration.

• Southeast Health & Dental Center also brings SANTA to the kids at their holiday party.

These are just quick examples about how health care is much more than just check-ups and prescriptions.  Federally Qualified Health Centers are a sense of pride in each of their neighborhoods.  It is a place to gather.  It is a place to receive care.  And, it is a place to provide care to others.

To learn more about what our health centers do for their neighborhoods visit our website.  Do you have ideas on involving the neighborhood centers in more ways than just the holiday season?  Comment below.

Healthy Families America is a program that is part of Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA), and before Healthy Families America opened a branch in Indiana, children in our community had to be reported as being abused or neglected FIRST before a family could receive support services. Now with HealthNet’s Better Indy Babies (BIBs) and Healthy Families Programs, families are being sought out by an outreach team and offered support BEFORE abuse and neglect can happen.

According to the National Center on Child Abuse Prevention Research, almost 50 out of every 1000 children were taken in by state and local Child Protection Services (CPS) in 2006.  That means almost 3.6 million children in the U.S. and Puerto Rico were alleged to be abused.  I am always wary when I hear research about “allegations;” however, when it comes to child abuse, even being alleged to having abused a child should cause some concern.

PCA invites everyone to have a HOUSE PARTY to help raise awareness and funding for this cause.  A perfect idea for a family gathering during the holidays, or a great way to add some meaning to you campus party!

Many families do some sort of gift exchange or present give-away for Christmas.  What if this year instead of saying, “oooh! you only need to spend $25 dollars on me,” you say, “what if we all donate the $25 dollars to a community program that helps prevent child abuse”?  Just like that, your family of five can raise $125 to help ONE of those 50 children gain support services BEFORE abuse or neglect happens.

What are your thoughts on this “house party” for prevention idea?  Are there other opportunities to host a party to raise funding or awareness for a cause near to your heart?

To learn more about Better Indy Babies/Healthy Families of HealthNet click here or donate directly by clicking here.  Comments welcome!