The Healthy Couples - Healthy Children project establishes a coalition of community agencies and organizations working with the Institute for Disability Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi to provide training for enhancing healthy marriages and parenting education to facilitate healthy relationships within the family unit.

Goals

• improve the well-being of children by promoting healthy relationships and healthy marriages

• advocate for strong healthy marriages

• increase father involvement in the lives of their children

• reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies

The project serves clients, both couples and individuals, of all ages who are at the 200% poverty level and reside in Forrest, Pearl River or Hancock counties. Services include

• programs for individuals and groups,

• resources for agencies and organizations including faith based organizations and

• identification of and referrals for victims of domestic violence.

Contact information

Parenting Classes

HCHC staff recognizes parenting can be challenging and at times overwhelming. Our staff provides quality up-to-date individual and group parenting classes for teen and adult parents. The focus of the classes is on positive discipline, limit setting and consequences, importance of routines, healthy nutrition and positive self-esteem. Our staff also works with individuals on specific parenting needs. Our parenting programs are approved through the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS).

Teen Programs

Teenagers today deal with peer pressure and are faced with many challenges and obstacles. HCHC staff work with youth in both school and community settings. We provide a wide range of programs to include self respect, character education, bullying, anger management, conflict resolution, team building exercises, and stress management. HCHC staff also provide programs on abstinence utilizing the "Just Wait" curriculum through the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

Fatherhood Initiative

Fathers face unique challenges in the 21st century. HCHC staff provides community programs, seminars, and individual training for fathers and their children.

Project Healthy Couples - Healthy Children is funded by Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Economic Assistance (Grant # 525WX71).