Voluntary, Evidence-Based Home Visiting Services Preserved in Stopgap Budget
HARRISBURG, PA (May 29, 2020) – The Childhood Begins at Home campaign released the following statement after passage of the five-month stopgap state budget:
“Families need support now more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic and evidence-based home visiting services for our children and families will be preserved under the stopgap budget policymakers approved on May 28th. Voluntary evidence-based home visiting programs improve maternal health, child well-being and family self-sufficiency and staying connected to home visiting services through virtual visits or tele-visits can be a lifeline for families sheltering-at-home.
“Additionally, partners in the campaign will continue to push for $100 million in federal stimulus funding to provide home visitors with additional flexibility and resources for virtual home visits and emergency supplies.
“With more than 17,000 families receiving voluntary home visiting services in Pennsylvania, supporting our home visitors reinforces the safety net for young children and families who face an even longer road to self-sufficiency due to the pandemic. In the coming months, our campaign will continue working to strengthen home visiting services across our state.”
###
