Partnering with You to Help Your Child Thrive

Support specialist with family during home visiting session

Personalized In-Home Parenting Support

The Cradle’s FREE home visiting program focuses on partnering with new or soon-to-be parents who are looking for additional support to help them nurture and care for their child or children. Our Family Support Specialists guide and assist you on building a strong relationship and providing care for your child, accessing resources and more. 

YOU take the lead and we’ll be your support.

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We Come to You

Support Without Judgment

Your Family Support Specialist is focused on your family’s happiness and well-being. We know every family’s story is unique, so you tell us what’s important to you, what you need and what is best for your family.

As a private, non-governmental human service agency, our role is to provide support you can trust, without judgment. There is no cost to participate and your participation is voluntary.

Consistent But Flexible Visits

Your Family Support Specialist reliably meets with you on your schedule and availability, for as long as you want services, generally until your child is three years old.

Each visit is based on what you’re interested in — your baby’s growth and development; ideas for bonding and playing; emotional support; ways to reduce stress; problem-solving; identifying and achieving goals; or anything else that nurtures your family.

Local

The Cradle’s home visiting program serves Illinois families in Northeast Lake County, specifically North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion and surrounding areas.

If you live in Northeast Lake County you can fill out our contact form or call 847.733.3243 to talk to one of our Family Support Specialists to learn more about our home visiting program and decide if it is right for you.

100,000+ Families Partner with HFA Annually

The Cradle’s home visiting program is part of Healthy Families America, the most widely implemented early childhood home visiting models in the United States.

HFA Mom from Georgia
[The Family Support Specialist] is not only somebody I can talk to and confide in, but somebody who helps me be a better mom ... [I am] learning how to better empathize with my child and to better understand him and his signals and his signs.
Raecine, HFA Mom from Kansas
He was a tiny baby — 3 pounds, 15 ounces, but he was full term, and that was the scariest thing ... [but I learned to] work with him where he needs to be, and to bond with him on that level, and that brings us closer together.
HFA Parents from Cincinnati, Ohio
Parenting does not come with a manual. You don't always know what to do. You don't always know the questions to ask. You don't know if other people are going through it. So, Healthy Families brings you that comfort in knowing we are all going through this.
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Meet Your Family Support Specialists

Your Family Support Specialist is here to help support and encourage you. Learn more about each of them by clicking on their photos below.

Sandy Holway

Home Visiting Supervisor

Elizabeth Mayes

Family Support Specialist

Arletta Barbel

Family Support Specialist

Home Visiting Supervisor

Sandy Holway

Sandy Holway has worked in child welfare for over 25 years. Prior to joining The Cradle in 2003, Sandy worked as a Child Welfare Specialist, Child Protective Investigator and Foster Care Case Manager. She also has experience in juvenile corrections and crisis intervention. At The Cradle, Sandy has held several roles over the years, including Helpline Intake Coordinator, Licensing Specialist and Resource Support Specialist. She began her current role as the Supervisor of the Home Visiting Program in July of 2025. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Sandy has called Northern Illinois home for most of her life, and enjoys free time with her husband and 2 children.

Family Support Specialist

Elizabeth Mayes

Elizabeth Mayes is an Expectant Parent Counselor at The Cradle. With a passion for helping underserved communities and a personal connection to adoption, she brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her role. Elizabeth holds an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University and a BA in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Before joining The Cradle, Elizabeth worked for six years at Thresholds, where she supported individuals with severe mental illness, substance use disorders, and trauma. She also completed a clinical internship at ThirdEye Counseling, enhancing her skills in providing compassionate, culturally competent care. As a biracial woman, Elizabeth understands the importance of intersectionality and integrates this perspective into her work.

Elizabeth is dedicated to creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment for expectant parents, guiding them through their journey with empathy and understanding.

Family Support Specialist

Arletta Barbel

Ever since her experience as a peer mentor in the Big Brother/Big Sister program, Arletta Barbel new she enjoyed mentoring and offering support. Before coming to The Cradle, Arletta worked as a Crisis Counselor at Chicago Youth Centers and as a respite worker at Metropolitan Family Services. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University and her Master’s Degree from National Louis University.

Inquire About Home Visiting

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Refer a Family

Do you know a new or soon-to-be parent in Lake County who could benefit from additional parenting support? Call 847.733.3243 or email homevisiting@cradle.org to reach one of our Family Support Specialists to learn more about our program and how to make a referral. 

Home Visiting Program Interest Form

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