Healthy Families
Healthy Families is intended to enrich and help to support our region’s youngest and most vulnerable members.
Having a child brings big changes to your life. Everyone having a baby could use extra support. This is why the Healthy Families program is here.
Our Healthy Families program connects families with the tools and resources they need to help their newborns grow up healthy, happy, and ready to learn.
Can we help you?
For enrollment details or to request a referral to our Healthy Families program, please call Multnomah County Early Childhood Services at 503-988-3520.
To submit a referral online, please click the button below to visit Multnomah County’s website.
Healthy Families is free and voluntary, and serves all Multnomah County families with no income or insurance requirements. We work closely with parents of newborns through a series of home visits to:
- promote positive parent-child relationships
- support healthy childhood growth and development
- improve the family support system by teaching parents to identify strengths and utilize problem-solving skills
We provide information on child development and infant care, free screenings to make sure each baby is healthy, and connections to supportive services in their community.
Mara (they/them)
About Me
I love working with families because each family is so unique so I‘m constantly learning new ways to support families with resources and to have fun with their babies and little kids. During my 15 years of working for Healthy Families, I’ve really appreciated how our program can be adaptable to meet families where they‘re at. My favorite thing about being a Family Support Specialist is I get to be a cheerleader for parents, because parenting is one of the toughest jobs out there and we often don’t get recognized for the incredible work we’re doing raising the next generation. Outside of work I love reading, singing, swimming, picking berries and eating tacos.
Sonia (she/her/ella)
About Me
I started working at Impact NW in 2008. This is the best non-profit agency I have worked for and feel proud to be reaching the end of my career as a Family Support Specialist working here. I am originally from Colombia, South America. In Los Angeles in the 1980’s, I worked with refugees from Central America, with families and people who were homeless. In 1992 I moved to Western North Carolina. I continued my work in social services with families, and as a social worker in an elementary school. My work with families has taught me kindness, hope, resiliency, and love for humanity. I am grateful for what I have experienced in my life.
Tram (she/hers)
About Me
I started with Impact in summer 2017 as a Home Visitor/Families Support Specialist. I got invited to families’ homes and I felt really honored to get to be in their space, hear their stories, and empower them in some aspects of their lives. The families that I worked with taught me so much about resilience and perseverance. In late 2020, I transitioned roles and became the Program Specialist. I enjoy doing the behind-the-scenes work. I hope to help free up time for my colleagues by tidying up the paperwork and data collection, so that they have more time to spend with families because families is why we are here. Thank you for trusting us with your stories! Outside of work, I loveee gardening, learning more about interior design, and of course, spending time with my loved ones.
Karina (she/her/ella)
About Me
I began serving families with Healthy Families in 2015 as a Family Support Specialist and became a Program Supervisor in 2022. This program has given me the opportunity for so much growth through advocacy, ongoing education, and authentic relationships with families and teams. I love our meaningful work and its ability to support real, positive change for all. When not working, I enjoy being outdoors, exploring new things and places, and crafting handmade projects.
Ayelet (she/her/ella)
About Me
I’m from Mexico and I have two children that keep me very active. I enjoy getting together with friends and spending time in nature. I have been working with Healthy Families for 7 years. I love what I do because I get to meet wonderful families and I get to learn from other parents, I’m lucky to experience their baby’s growth with them and to celebrate their achievements.
Marisol (she/her/ella)
About Me
As a Healthy Families Family Support Specialist, I enjoy being able to support the families I work with in different ways. I love what I do because it allows me to provide parents with information on how to create positive relations with their babies. Outside of work, I like to spend time with my daughter, go on walks and the movies.
Chelsea (she/her)
About Me
I have been working with Healthy Families since 2015. I love how long our program partners with families. Watching families grow and being invited in as a part of their journey for 3+ years is incredible. I also truly appreciate how individualized our services are and that we are able to offer this program in a way that really meets families where they are at. Outside of work, I enjoy adventuring with my family, exploring nature, dancing, trying new foods, cooking and karaoke.
Aurora (she/her/ella)
About Me
I have been working with families for over 15 years. I enjoy working with our community and networking to help families. I love what I do because it gives me the opportunity to give back to the community. I strive to make an impact by working on myself to be the best version of myself and be able to truly help families. My favorite activity to do with families is the weekly activities we plan and do together. I support families by advocating with them but also encouraging them to advocate for themselves. My goal is to give families the encouragement and advocacy skills to be successful in their lives through my work with families.
Lucia (she/her/ella)
About Me
I am passionate about my job because I myself am a parent of two and have learned first-hand that having support is very important in the parenting journey. I am originally from Mexico and have been married for 32 years. Working at Impact NW for the last 21 years has allowed me the opportunity and privilege of learning, providing parent-child education, and meeting families from different cultures and diverse backgrounds. On my free time, I enjoy singing, time with my family, nature walks, and exercise.
Angélica (she/her/ella)
About Me
Hola, my name is Angélica, and I was born and raised in Mexico by my two loving parents. There, I began my career as a nurse and discovered my love for infants and helping the people of my community. I moved to the U.S. in my late twenties, eventually moving to Portland where I have been living for the past 29 years. My passion for early child development began after the birth of the first of my four children. In 2001, I began working with children and families as a Home Visitor and eventually made my way to Impact NW where I have been working as a Family Support Specialist for nearly four years.
Sarah (she/her)
About Me
My background is in Early Childhood Education working in a variety of capacities from Infant Teacher up to Preschool Administrator. As a Healthy Family Support Specialist, I love building relationships with families to create positive parent child relationships and to be an advocate and cheerleader in your corner! I love getting to see the growth the families I work with go through in our years working together. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, snuggling with my dog, spending time at the gym, and enjoying time at Starbucks. I can’t wait to meet you!
Christina (she/her)
About Me
I am so grateful to be able to work here at Healthy Families. It is a privilege getting to know each family that I work with and learning how to best support their hopes and goals. My favorite part of this work is seeing families grow in confidence and build lives that they love living. When I’m not working, I’m busy hanging out with my husband, our six boys, and two dogs. Some things that bring me joy are gardening, writing, cooking, and traveling.
Che’la (she/her)
About Me
I have been working with Healthy Families since November of 2021. I enjoy working with families and helping support the growth and development of their children. I think our program is incredible and the work we are doing is essential. Outside of work, I love being in nature. Hikes and relaxing music are my favorites.
Patricia (she/her/ella)
About Me
I was born in Chile, and I moved to the US when I was 16 years old, since then I always had a strong desire to serve and support the community, more so now that we need more empathy and kindness towards others, that is why I like my job and I feel happy to be part of this program. I have been a Family Support Specialist for almost 10 years. When I’m not working, I like to spend time with my daughters doing fun things like dancing, hiking, camping, swimming, traveling and getting to know different cultures and food.
Maria (she/her/ella)
About Me
I am passionate about my work because after working with children for over 20 years and raising my son by myself, I realize how important it is to have someone to support you and guide you in the journey of parenting. I was born and raised in the Basque Country (Spain) and worked in Montessori schools for 13 years. This experience and the passion for working with children and families brought me to Impact NW. I have worked with Healthy Families for 3 years. This work fulfills my true calling and my passion. It has provided me the privilege of learning and meeting families from different cultures and backgrounds. My life away from my work includes a passion for yoga, being part of the Oregon Dyslexia association, the outdoors, and traveling. It is an honor to be part of this vibrant community, to witness the discoveries and successes of families, and to support them in their journeys as parents.
Anna (she/her)
About Me
I’ve been with Healthy Families for a year and a half, and it’s amazing to get to walk beside families as they and their children grow! My favorite part of the job is witnessing things change for the better in people’s lives. It’s an honor to be let in and to get to know every family member (right down to the pets!) that I work with. I’m passionate about trauma-informed care and personalized approaches for every individual’s circumstances. When I’m not working, I am also a dancer, actress, figure skater, and an on-call chef and cuddler to two beautiful cats.