Home Visitor of the Year: Mason Nazzareno in Abilene, TX

For Mason Nazzareno, working with families isn’t just a job — it’s a way to make a tangible, lasting difference. 

As a parent educator with the Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support (HOPES) program at BCFS Health and Human Services in Abilene, Texas, Nazzareno has spent nearly two years supporting parents and caregivers as they build stronger relationships with their children. Each week, she meets with families one-on-one to offer guidance, education and encouragement, all tailored to individual needs. 

Nazzareno first entered the field through an internship with Child Protective Services. That experience shaped her approach to working with families and offered a clearer sense of what kind of support she wanted to provide. 

“I knew I wanted to work with families, but I wanted to be able to support them and give them more guidance than CPS has the opportunity to do,” she said. 

However, building trust can sometimes be a challenge, especially since many families are referred to the program through CPS. 

“I think the biggest challenge we face is getting our families to understand that we are separate from CPS,” Nazzareno said. “We emphasize that we’re here to help them — not to judge them or affect their case.” 

The work, while meaningful, isn’t always easy. Some stories are difficult to hear, and the support families need can vary widely. But for Nazzareno, seeing growth, no matter how incremental, makes it all worthwhile. 

One example that stands out to her involved a mother whose child struggled during grocery store trips. The child would run off or insist on grabbing items. Together, Nazzareno and the parent came up with practical strategies — giving the child agency to decide between choices like riding in the cart or holding onto it and building his own grocery list. When these ultimately worked, a simple, yet important, task for the mother was instantly more enjoyable and effective.  

Nazzareno also emphasized the value of team collaboration. When navigating unfamiliar topics or complex situations, she relies on colleagues for insight and advice. 

In her colleague’s nomination, they noted “Mason approaches her role with honesty and humility, never hesitating to admit when she doesn’t have an answer and always ensuring she follows up with accurate information. This openness has built trust and strong connections with the families she serves.” 

“I really appreciate the ability to lean on my coworkers,” Nazzareno said. “If I don’t know the answer, I’ll say, ‘Let me do some research or talk with someone who might know, and I’ll get back to you.’ It’s helpful knowing I’m not in this alone.” 

In fact, when asked what it meant to be named a Home Visitor of the Year, she said she sees the recognition as a reflection of the work their entire team does to support families in West Texas. 

“I think the biggest thing is not being in this by myself,” Nazzareno said. “I have a sounding board with my coworkers, and we’re able to support each other and throw things back and forth.” 

To learn more about the National SafeCare model, visit https://safecare.publichealth.gsu.edu/.  

Congratulations to Mason Nazzareno for being selected as a 2025 Home Visitor of the Year.