Anna Hokinson and Hannah Farr are family support workers in the Family Foundations program at WCHD. In their roles, they provide in-home family support to eligible families for maternal and child health, childhood injury prevention, school readiness and achievement, crime or domestic violence prevention and intervention, and family economic self-sufficiency and coordination with community resources. Both women support 15 local families each.

“I’m so proud of Anna and Hannah for their outstanding contributions to the Family Foundations Program,” said Jennifer Sumpter, director of the Webster County Health Department. “They bring hard work and sincerity in everything they do. Their dedication is not only admirable, it truly inspires the families they see and everyone around them. I’m more than thankful to be a part of such an outstanding team.”

According to Iowa Health and Human Services, the Family Foundations program aims to improve the overall health of mothers and children, get children ready to succeed in school, improve families’ economic well-being, and to connect families to resources throughout their community.

“I believe that Anna deserves this nomination as she goes above and beyond for the clients she visits with,” shared one of Hokinson’s clients in her state nomination. “She is kind, very caring, and understanding — always willing to help with whatever I need! She bonds great with the children. She helps them grow and learn while bonding with the parents to help them feel supported, confident, comfortable, and safe! I have had the awesome privilege to have Anna and can say she is the best!! Never have I felt judged, out of place, or misunderstood. She listens to what you need and gives you all the help she can to watch you and your family succeed!”

“(Hannah) is one of the most kind, caring, and supportive people you could meet,” said a client in Farr’s nomination. “She approaches each family with humility and a lack of judgment. Hannah looks for the good in her families and supports those characteristics. Being a mother herself, she appreciates other approaches to parenthood while also showing empathy.”

Both Hokinson and Farr have been employed by WCHD for just over a year.

National Home Visiting Week was April 21-25.