Family Support Services in Amarillo, Texas

Every family needs support at different times. Pregnancy, bringing home a new baby, raising a young child, and preparing for school can all bring new questions. Parents may need information, encouragement, developmental resources, or simply someone who can help them understand what comes next.

Family Support Services with Coalition of Health Services connect eligible families in Amarillo and the surrounding Texas Panhandle with programs designed to support parents and children. Through programs such as Nurse-Family Partnership, families can receive personal education, home visiting services, child development information, and connections to helpful resources.

What Are Family Support Services?

Family support services are designed to help parents and caregivers during important stages of family life.

The type of support a family needs can change over time. A mother who is pregnant with her first baby may have questions about pregnancy and preparing for childbirth. Several months later, her questions may focus on caring for an infant. As the child grows, development and school readiness may become more important.

Having access to ongoing support gives families a place to ask questions as their needs change.

Supporting Families During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be exciting, but first-time mothers may also feel unsure about what to expect.

There is a lot of information available online, from family members, and on social media. Sometimes the amount of advice makes things more confusing instead of easier.

Nurse-Family Partnership, also known as NFP, provides eligible first-time mothers with a specially trained personal nurse.

Nurse-Family Partnership

The relationship between the mother and nurse begins during pregnancy. This gives them time to talk about the mother's questions, goals, and preparations before the baby arrives.

Eligible participants can continue working with their nurse after childbirth and until their child's second birthday.

This creates a longer relationship instead of providing support during only one stage of family life.

Family Support After Baby Arrives

Bringing a baby home changes everyday life.

Even parents who feel prepared during pregnancy often discover new questions once they begin caring for their own newborn. Feeding, sleep, safety, development, and daily routines can quickly become part of the conversation.

Family support services can give new mothers another source of reliable information during this transition.

For families participating in Nurse-Family Partnership, the mother already knows her personal nurse. She does not have to begin a completely new relationship after childbirth.

Growing Into Parenthood

Becoming a confident parent takes time.

I have seen how a simple question can become a major concern for a new parent when everything is unfamiliar. Sometimes what a parent needs most is clear information and the opportunity to talk through the situation.

Programs that provide personal family support create space for those conversations.

The goal is not to make parenting decisions for families. Instead, parents receive information and education that can help them make informed choices.

Parents as Teachers in Amarillo

Family support can continue as children move beyond infancy.

Highland Park Parents as Teachers, commonly called PAT, is a free, evidence-based home visiting program serving eligible families in Potter County and Randall County.

The program serves families from the prenatal stage through age five. There are no income restrictions.

Parents as Teachers is based on the belief that parents are their children's first and most influential teachers.