One Hope United was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Cardinal Health Foundation to support Wings and Healthy Families, two of the organization’s child abuse prevention programs in Lake County.

“Our child abuse prevention programs are wholly funded by private dollars, and we rely on organizations such as the Cardinal Health Foundation to invest in our community’s youth in order to keep children safe in their own homes, which is the foundation of our mission to protect children and strengthen families,” said Mark McHugh, executive director of One Hope United.

Targeted for new and expecting parents, these programs help par­ents adjust to the responsibilities of parenthood and promote positive parent-child interaction. They work to enhance family functioning, build trusting relationships and teach problem-solving skills. Specific services include in-home visitation, assessment, parenting support and education, and assistance in accessing community resources.

One Hope United served nearly 150 clients in Lake County through these programs in FY09, and 99 percent had no reports of child abuse or neglect.