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Adriane Davis has her hands full with 6-month-old twins Myasia and Mikya. But the first-time Chesapeake mom is thriving as she learns to nurture her ever-changing daughters. Part of Davis’ confidence as a new parent comes from her ongoing participation in the CHIP/Healthy Families Chesapeake program. 

The twins were only a day old when a CHIP/Healthy Families resource specialist visited Davis in the hospital to introduce her to the program. ‘She told me about the assistance available for first—time mothers,” Davis recalls. Since then Davis has been visited once a week by case manager Keisha Ward, who gives the single mother “good tips on how to take care of my daughters.”

Davis has used CHIP/Healthy Families transportation for medical appointments. She also meets monthly with other new mothers and their children at the CHIP/Healthy Families’ South Norfolk office. There they learn about their children’s upcoming development milestones and discover creative ways to nurture their babies and prepare them for a lifetime of learning.

Davis is among 160 Chesapeake mothers and their 300 children working with CHIP/Healthy Families’ six case managers and insurance specialist. The program was enhanced in 2002 with a $15,000 Norfolk Foundation grant that equipped a new Parent Education Resource Center. The grant paid for a CD player, TV/VCR, projector, table, chairs, lectern and supply cabinets as well as educational materials. The center is used for parent classes and ‘eludes a resource Ii bran for parents and a play area for children.

“This is nice, welcoming room for our families," says Anna D. Roach, CHIP/Healthy Families executive director. ‘They deserve a quality environment to whet their appetite for learning. We ‘vain to encourage their self-sufficiency and support their personal growth.”

CHIP/Healthy Families started in 1993 as part of the Chesapeake Health Department but became a nonprofit organization in 1998. It moved to its current location in 2000. More than half its clients come from the surrounding South Norfolk area. CHIP/Healthy Families is dedicated to preventing abuse and neglect of children by educating their parents. It also strives to improve children’s readiness to learn and succeed in school.

For Adriane Davis CHIP/Healthy Families is an important part of her life. “Everyone here is so caring. You can feel the dedication. This is so helpful to me.” ID

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For information on CHIP/Healthy Families Chesapeake’s programs for parents and children call 543-9100.