BARTOW, FL — Healthy Families Polk, a free and voluntary program that provides home visits to help parents strengthen families and support healthy childhood development, has earned national accreditation from Healthy Families America. The accreditation is effective through June 2031.
During the 2025-26 fiscal year, the program served 428 families and 824 children, completed 6,260 home visits and made 720 referrals connecting families with community resources. According to Polk County, 100% of children served remained free of verified maltreatment during the fiscal year.
The program focuses on positive parenting, strengthening parent-child relationships and reducing child abuse and neglect.
The accreditation process included an on-site review of the program’s services, policies, documentation, supervision and management. Healthy Families Polk met all required essential standards under the Healthy Families America model.
Polk County Health and Human Services Director Marcia Andresen said the program has worked to strengthen families in the community for 33 years.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
