The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department took over operation of the Healthy Families Douglas County program on Jan. 1 to continue helping about 50 local families by preventing child abuse and neglect.

According to a news release from the department, the healthy families program is designed to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Healthy Families provides transportation, case management and in-home support for new parents who have children age 3 and younger and who have a family history of abuse, lack parenting skills and are unemployed. The program was founded in October 2010 as part of a partnership between the health department and Kansas Children’s Service League. However, the league can’t support the program because of reductions in state funding.

The health department has allocated $80,000 for the program in 2013. Jenn Preston, supervisor, oversees five employees.