To provide the information, support, and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial years of life.

PAFT is open to all parents and guardians of young children in Hamilton County who are expecting a child or have a child 5 years old or younger. All PAFT involvement is voluntary.

Babies do not come with a set of instructions. Sometimes you can be overwhelmed by your child's never ending needs. Whether you are a single, teenage mother or a two parent family, PAFT is designed to help you adjust to your family's new addition. PAFT works with you in the following ways:

Group meetings are opportunities for families to participate in fun parent/child educational activities, gain new insights and share common experiences. You learn that other parents face some of the same challenges you face as a parent.

PAFT offers periodic screening of your child's overall development, language, hearing and vision. This helps to detect any potential problems, and can help prevent future difficulties in school.

PAFT provides referral information and linkage to other community services for those families who have needs that are beyond the scope of this program.

PAFT's staff, called Parent Educators, are trained in child development, and use information from the newest research on brain development. A child's early experiences with language, activities, and especially warm, loving touches are necessary for healthy development. Parent Educators visit your home when it is convenient and help you understand each stage of your child's development, as well as offer practical tips on ways to encourage learning. You will discover that simple, everyday activities -  feeding time, a game of peek-a-boo, or a trip to the grocery store -  are all opportunities to develop your child's skills.