IMPACT Story: Tia & Winnie
04/25/25
At Action for Children, the Help Me Grow (HMG) home visiting program provides support services, education, and resources to parents during their children’s critical early years. The program helps families navigate parenting challenges through personalized home visits, developmental screenings, and expert guidance. Early intervention can improve outcomes for young children, especially when parents are emotionally supportive and actively involved.
For Tia, mother of three — 7-year-old Kian, 5-year-old Bryston, and 2-year-old Winnie — the Help Me Grow Home Visiting program has been an important source of support. Having been in the Help Me Grow Home Visiting program for over 2 years, Tia’s experience with the program has been truly life-changing, offering guidance that fits her parenting style and addresses her children and families’ unique needs.
A Lifeline Through Challenges
Tia’s journey has been full of challenges. Her middle child, Bryston, is in remission from cancer, a health care issue that required immense strength and resilience from the entire family. Additionally, Tia’s youngest, Winnie, was born prematurely, which made Tia’s pregnancy even more difficult. Despite these struggles, Tia has remained hopeful and committed to providing the best care and opportunities for her children. Through these experiences, Tia’s problem-solving abilities and emotionally supportive nature have helped her navigate the toughest of times.
Parenting with Empathy and Positive Discipline
Through the support of Help Me Grow Help Family Support Specialist, Tia has been working toward personal growth in her parenting by practicing empathy and positive discipline over punishment. She understands the importance of fostering Winnie’s curiosity and self-esteem, using gentle guidance. This approach not only helps her children develop confidence but also strengthens their mental health and emotional well-being.
Tia also prioritizes modeling self-regulation skills, recognizing that her ability to manage emotions directly influences her children’s behavior. By demonstrating patience and self-control, she provides her children with a strong example to follow, setting the foundation for their emotional intelligence.
The Role of Help Me Grow and Sydney
A standout experience in Tia’s Help Me Grow experience has been her work with Sydney, her Family Support Specialist. Tia praises Sydney for her guidance, encouragement, and constant reassurance. Thanks to Sydney’s support, Tia has gained more confidence in her parenting and has been able to access community resources that help her children thrive, even when facing potential developmental delays.
A Bright Future for Winnie
Winnie, named after her grandmother, is now a healthy and thriving 2-year-old, meeting all her developmental milestones. This success is a testament to Tia’s dedication and the impact of the Help Me Grow program. Winnie’s growth has been reinforced by the activities and support services provided by the program. Tia shared that Sydney said, “Winnie is doing better than most children her age.” She passed all her milestones with flying colors, proving the program’s effectiveness. Tia explained that they would test some of the milestones early to see if Winnie could achieve them, and not only did she succeed, but she consistently met each milestone ahead of schedule.
Tia actively nurtures Winnie’s language development by reading and singing with her every day. Winnie enjoys picking out books, looking at the pictures, and learning new words with her mother—strengthening their bond while building early literacy skills. These daily interactions create a rich learning environment that sets Winnie up for future success.
Reflecting on the support they received, Tia shared, “Even after Sydney left the visit, the impact carried over at home. It provided reassurance, which was important for me as a parent. It helped ease some of my insecurities, knowing we were on the right track.”
Gratitude and Growth
Tia’s journey through motherhood has had its ups and downs, but one thing has remained constant: her deep gratitude for the Help Me Grow Home Visiting program. The resources, activities, and personal support have provided her with not only tools for success but also a sense of community and reassurance. The program has also encouraged her to include more physical activity in her children’s routines, further supporting their overall health and development.
For Tia, the program has been more than just assistance—it has been a true partnership in helping her family members grow, learn, and thrive. With the support of Help Me Grow, Tia is ensuring a bright future for her children. Her story shows that with the right resources and guidance, families can overcome challenges and flourish.
Author: Tyra James, Program Marketing Coordinator at Action for Children
About Action for Children: Action for Children is the local child care resource and referral agency for central Ohio, and is committed to assuring quality early learning experiences for all children. Our services focus on transforming the lives of children by supporting the everyday heroes who most influence our children’s early growth; care givers, educators, parents, and guardians. Learn More.
Action for Children’s Help Me Grow home visiting services are funded by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Action for Children is an affiliate of Healthy Families America. For prenatal support or in-home services outside of Franklin County, please click here.