Evidence-Based Home Visiting
Evidence-Based Home Visiting (EBHV) is exactly as it sounds—a trained professional visits the home of an expectant parent or caregiver in the early stages of raising a family. The goal? Simply to offer these parents support, resources, and tools during their child’s first years when the brain develops most rapidly. Participation in the program is voluntary.
In Georgia, many home visits are provided by Georgia Home Visiting Program.
What does a home visit look like?
For many parents, a home visit is a rare opportunity for one-on-one time with a caring, trained professional who might be a nurse, counselor, or educator.
It’s a chance to check in on your baby’s development and ask questions about their well-being.
Your home visitor might give you tips about safe sleep practices, nutrition, or the importance of reading and singing to your baby. They can connect you with a pediatrician, help you set up well visits, and provide other community referrals.
If you’re experiencing challenges such as depression or domestic violence, your home visitor can help you get the support you need.
Throughout your relationship, your home visitor has your back.
Why Should Georgia’s Leadership Support Investments in Home Visiting?
The support of EBHV can be life-changing for both parents and children. Among Georgia families who participated in home visiting programs. . .
- 99% had no reports of child maltreatment.
- 76% of new mothers completed their postpartum visits.
- 97% reported reading, telling stories, or singing to their children.
(University of Georgia Center for Family Research, “Georgia Home Visiting Program, Annual Report,” (2020))
What’s more, EBHV is a sound financial investment. The Georgia Department of Public Health has reported that high-quality home visiting programs offer returns on investment ranging from $1.75 to $5.70 for every dollar spent due to reduced costs of child protection, K-12 special education, grade retention, and criminal-legal expenses.
And yet, Georgia is one of only a handful of states that doesn’t allocate state funds to support home visiting. Subsequently, families in over half of Georgia’s 159 counties have no access to EBHV. Of the 48 counties identified as most at-risk by a needs assessment, only 27 have programs.
This is where you can help!
Tell us about your experience as a parent who’s participated in-home visits or as a professional working in this field. Please fill out the form below and let us know if you’d like to be contacted for a conversation.
With your stories, we at GEEARS can be stronger advocates to bring this highly effective, family-centered practice to Georgians who need it.