UT Martin Healthy Families Tennessee (UTM HFT) is an evidence-based home visiting program serving families in Benton, Carroll, Dyer, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, Tipton, and Weakley counties. The program partners with local community agencies to connect families with resources and provide comprehensive home visiting services beginning prenatally or at birth.
Through these services, UTM HFT home visitors foster and strengthen nurturing parent–child relationships, support healthy childhood growth and development, and enhance overall family functioning by reducing risk factors and building protective factors. Home visitors receive specialized training in the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Prenatal and Postnatal Edinburgh Depression Scale, HITS screenings, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and trauma-informed care. All program curricula are evidence-based.
UTM HFT is committed to strengthening families and promoting nurturing environments that support both physical and mental well-being.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Mother is prenatal, or baby is three months of age or younger. Mother can have multiple children.
- Family resides in one of the following counties: Benton, Carroll, Dyer, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, Tipton, or Weakley.
- Family must meet ONLY ONE of the following:
- Family receives government assistance such as TennCare, WIC, Food Stamps, Families First.
- Prenatal and 20 years of age or younger.
- Anyone living in the home has current or history of substance abuse or substance abuse treatment.
- Anyone living in the home uses any form of tobacco products. (cigarettes, e-cigs, dip, snuff, etc.)
- Anyone living in the home has history of child abuse/neglect or has had interactions with Child Protective Services.
- Baby has a developmental delay or a diagnosed disability.
- Any immediate family member currently is on active duty or has served in active duty in the Armed Forces.
To make a referral or gain further information about UT Martin Healthy Families Tennessee, please contact Program Supervisor, Kendal Walker Huff, at 731-881-7917 or kwalke70@utm.edu.