"Why do we care so much about the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program? Because it works."

In response to a report today that “the Affordable Care Act would force families to receive home visits from government officials to assess at-risk children,” Prevent Child Abuse America has released a Statement - here - to the media titled "Why do we care so much about the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program? Because it works." We hope you will take a look and let us know if you have any questions. We have also pasted an excerpt below.

"It has been reported today that “the Affordable Care Act would force families to receive home visits from government officials to assess at-risk children.”

This story is in reference to the portion of the Affordable Care Act known as the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, which is an expansion of existing state-level home visiting programs that are evidence-based, voluntary, led by well-trained home visitors, and which have received bi-partisan support.

In fact, home visiting consistently has enjoyed bi-partisan support because it values families and understands early nurturing relationships are the foundation for life-long healthy development. It is appreciated because home visitors live in the communities in which they work, reflecting local customs and attitudes, and because it works."

“The Race of Life.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO, IL, February 15, 2013 – In Tuesday’s State of the Union Speech, President Obama called for an expansion of early learning opportunities, saying, “Let’s do our part to make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind.”

To further this goal, the White House announced yesterday that they would like to see an expansion of home visiting programming to levels even beyond the groundbreaking investments included in the Affordable Care Act.

It is clear that President Obama and his administration understand that “the race of life” begins at birth. However, the continued and expanded existence of home visiting programming now rests in the hands of Congress.

In 2014, the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, along with the Affordable Care Act, where its funding stream lies, is scheduled to go through a Congressional review process termed “reauthorization.”

For those of us who share the President’s belief that all children should be given an equal opportunity to compete in the “the race of life,” this process will provide us with the chance to impress upon our respective members of Congress the exponential benefits this programming provides.

And what are these benefits?

Healthy brain development. Enhanced success in school and the workplace. Reductions in health care, mental health, and criminal justice costs. And so many more.

In short, home visiting programming not only impacts the “race of life,” but the nation’s long term prosperity as well.

“Today, I ask you to join us in taking a moment to applaud the President and his administration for underscoring the critical nature of these programs,” said James M. Hmurovich, President & CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America, “and then as the hard work begins, I ask you to join us in
educating your friends, family, neighbors, and members of congress, on their importance. As the President said, ‘let’s do our part.’ All of us, for children, for their families, and for the nation”

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ABOUT PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA
Prevent Child Abuse America, founded in 1972 in Chicago, works to ensure the healthy development of children nationwide. The organization promotes that vision through a network of chapters in 50 states and 530 Healthy Families America home visitation sites in 39 states, the Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada. A major organizational focus is to advocate for the existence of a national policy framework and strategy for children and families while promoting evidence-based practices that prevent abuse and neglect from ever occurring. To learn more about what we’re doing to prevent child abuse and neglect and how you can help, please visit our websites here and here.