Wellroot Family Services has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the Liz Blake Giving Fund to support the expansion of our maternal and infant support home visitation program in Gwinnett County and launch new services in DeKalb and Fulton. This program leverages First Steps Georgia™ and the Healthy Families America® (HFA) model, an evidence-based approach to family support, to provide critical services to mothers and infants during the earliest years of life.
“This generous support from the Liz Blake Giving Fund will enable us to reach more families at a time when maternal and infant health in Georgia is in crisis,” said Allison Ashe, president and CEO of Wellroot Family Services. “Expanding our program allows us to provide much-needed resources and support to families at risk. We aim to give every child a strong, healthy start in life and equip mothers with the tools they need to nurture and care for their babies.”
The HFA model, which focuses on promoting maternal and child health through voluntary home visitation, has been an integral part of Wellroot’s maternal and infant support efforts in Hall and Gwinnett counties. Now, thanks to this major investment, the program will be extended to provide comprehensive services to young mothers in DeKalb and Fulton counties, with a particular focus on those who are at risk of child welfare involvement due to lack of resources and community support.
“We are deeply grateful to the Liz Blake Giving Fund for this transformative gift,” said Ashe. “By expanding the Healthy Families program, we will be able to support not only mothers and infants but also strengthen the entire family unit. This two-generational approach ensures that parents and their children receive the resources they need during the critical early years, laying a strong foundation for long-term family stability and well-being.”
Through this expansion, Wellroot will provide services such as parenting education, postpartum support, and child development guidance. Family Support Specialists visit homes weekly and then monthly until the child’s third birthday, building trusting relationships with parents, providing essential health information, and supporting significant early childhood development milestones. The program also connects families to vital community resources, ensuring that children are healthy, safe, and set on a path to success.
Wellroot Family Services has long been recognized for its impactful work with families in crisis. Established in 1871 as the Decatur Orphans’ Home, Wellroot continues to lead the way in child welfare, leveraging models like Healthy Families America® and Functional Family Therapy. This latest expansion underscores Wellroot’s commitment to building a future where every child can thrive in a loving, stable home environment.
The partnership with the Liz Blake Giving Fund exemplifies the impact of collective action to empower women and promote the early development of their children. Aligned with Wellroot’s mission to restore children and families from trauma, this collaboration helps build a future where every child is raised in a loving, compassionate, and nurturing home.