Home visiting programs around the nation serve thousands of families in need. Decades of scientific research show that these critical programs not only improve outcomes for children, but the support trained home visitors offer to parents during pregnancy and early childhood care is invaluable. However, at the end of September, funding for home visiting through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program is set to expire. Without MIECHV funding, home visiting programs around the United States risk losing their ability to support thousands of families.
An estimated 1.3 million children ages six and under experience homelessness across the United States. Homelessness in early childhood is associated with delays in language, literacy, and social-emotional development, as well as higher rates of acute and chronic illness. Home visiting is uniquely poised to address the two-generational impacts of homelessness: by meeting families where they are, despite their mobility, parents and children continually benefit from the program’s services and supports.
Read more about the National Home Visiting Coalition’s recommendations to Congress.