Juanita Hopkins Nominated as Home Visiting Champion

 

Thrive Quarterly would like to highlight Family Support Specialist Juanita Hopkins with Healthy Families Delaware in Kent/Sussex county. Juanita is very passionate about serving her families, and flexible to meet their needs. She received a referral for a new family from a family she now serves and enrolled them on 8/1/24. During her first three visits, both teen parents were present for weekly visits. During our intake assessment what we call a FROG, Juanita heard Dad say he quit school in the 12th grade with 2 months to go and would like to go back to get his diploma, but he needed a laptop. Juanita started searching immediately if there were any resources for a free laptop in our communities. She found a refurbished laptop through United Way. Juanita drove to NCC to pick up the laptop and deliver it to the family. Juanita realized the impact having an education could mean for this young man and this family. This is just one example of how she goes out of her way to meet the needs of families, but also the compassion she shows for families meeting them where they are and helping them realize their goals. These teen parents said they want to parent their child differently than they were parented. They were surrounded by addictions and absentee parents. They are showing up for visits, and eager for information Juanita is providing to make positive change for their child.

Juanita goes in with a positive attitude and helps them feel confident in their growing parenting skills. This is just one story. All the families Juanita serves would be able to tell a story of the impact she made for them. We are so lucky to have her as a member of Healthy Families Delaware for the seeds she is planting.