Virginia’s Comprehensive Health Investment Project (CHIP)
offers a practical example of taking a whole-family approach.
This successful program – which pairs families with integrated

teams of registered nurses and parent educators, goes beyond
the usual focus on maternal and infant health. 

Visits from a registered nurse promote healthy pregnancies and help parents of young children take a proactive approach to their child’s health and development as well as their own health and family stability.  CHIP of Virginia (CHIP) nurses work with families, and local medical and dental providers to increase access to, and successful use, of healthcare resources.  A parent educator uses the Parents As Teachers Curriculum with participants to build important skills, such as creating routines, engaging in early learning activities that promote school readiness and using positive discipline approaches.  Educators also assist families with achieving self-sufficiency goals, such as getting a driver’s license, earning a GED or certification or pursuing higher education— all of which smooth pathways to employment. CHIP regularly sees a 40% increase in the number of families with one or both parents working at least part time after a year in the program.  

Addressing child and parent challenges simultaneously strengthens families and places them on firmer ground. This gives children a more solid footing from the start, greatly improving their chances of charting a better course.  CHIP supports children and families through a two-generation approach...changing lives two generations at a time. 

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Portions of this summary of CHIP of Virginia were originally published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.