General Information
The Alberta Home Visitation Network Association is a provincial non-profit society that promotes quality home visitation programs. Incorporated as a society in 2001 and received charitable status in April 2005. AHVNA is a member-driven organization comprised of interested individuals, community based agencies, home visitation programs and Child and Family Services. AHVNA is funded through Alberta Children Services, membership and course fees, grants and donations.
The association promotes best practices and standards through
- Providing networking and training opportunities
- Sharing of information on training opportunities
- Centralized research and evaluation resources
- "Connection" publication and website resources
Background
The Alberta Home Visitation Network Association was formed in 1998-99 after two "Creating Healthy Families" conferences were held in the province. Participants at these conferences wanted to provide a forum to encourage the development and integrity of voluntary, long-term home visitation programs as a way of assisting families with children aged zero to six years.
In 1999, a group of interested representatives, from community-based agencies and home visitation programs, met on a regular basis to share information about the home visitation programs in their communities and to discuss concerns about program development and delivery. It was felt that, while the meetings provide valuable networking, a provincial association and an information resource centre would better meet the needs of home visitation programs across the province. The group decided to formalize the provincial association structure, develop key areas of work, establish a provincial resource centre and hire a director.
AHVNA Vision
Service providers receive the support necessary to provide quality home visitation services.
AHVNA Mission
To support the provision of quality, voluntary, home visitation services promoting best possible outcomes for Alberta families with young children.
AHVNA Guiding Principles
We believe in providing an inclusive, collaborative organization to which all programs in the province that offer or support home visitation services may belong.
We believe that it is essential to strive for autonomy and self direction in order to effectively advocate for programs that provide home visitation services.
We believe that home visitation services should be available to all vulnerable families, in Alberta, in order to strengthen families.
We believe that all families benefit from the support home visitation services offer parents by promoting healthy parent-child relationships and early childhood development.
We believe that community collaboration enhances services to families.
We believe a centralized organization for research, information, training and networking benefits home visitation programs in Alberta.