Staying healthy during pregnancy and preparing for childbirth
Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program
The Home Visiting Program is a voluntary, free service for pregnant women and families with young children.
Local programs provide voluntary, ongoing home visits from qualified home visiting professionals, such as nurses or early childhood educators, to provide support, education, and resources to promote the well-being of young families.
What happens during home visits?
A trained home visitor, often a nurse, early childhood educator, or other trained professional, gets to know you and your family. The home visitor can help you set and reach goals for during your pregnancy and after the baby comes.
The home visitor offers information about ways to care for yourself and your child, such as:
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Breastfeeding, preventing child injuries, and ensuring safe sleep for you and your baby
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Choosing healthy foods and drinks for you and your baby
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Helping your child with language, activities, and early learning experiences
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Setting goals for continuing your education and finding work and child-care options
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Linking your family with other services and resources in your community
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Who can participate in the Home Visiting Program?
HRSA-funded home visiting programs serve pregnant women, babies, and children up to kindergarten entry in high need communities.
Local programs have different enrollment guidelines based on their communities’ unique needs. You can find out if you’re eligible by contacting a local program.
An enrollment coordinator will ask you about yourself and your situation. If you aren’t eligible for home visiting services, ask about other programs that might fit your needs.
How can you get started?
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Find home visiting services
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Select a home visiting program
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Contact the program
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Why home visiting?
The Home Visiting Program can help:
- Improve the overall health of mothers and children
- Improve families’ economic well-being
- Connect families to other community resources
- Prevent crime, injuries, abuse, and neglect
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FAQs
States, districts, and territories tailor home visiting programs and services to meet the community needs. All HRSA-funded home visiting programs focus on six key areas:
- Health of mothers and newborns
- Prevention of child injuries, abuse, and neglect
- School readiness and achievement
- Crime and domestic violence
- Family financial health
- Program services and referrals to other resources
There is no cost to families to participate in a HRSA-funded home visiting program.
All home visiting programs ask for basic information about families. Local programs may also ask for other information.
Home visiting staff will explain what information is collected and how it will be used. You can then decide if you agree to participate.
Local programs aim to provide language services that meet the needs of families enrolled. Many home visitors speak languages other than English, and home visiting programs may offer translation services. Contact a local home visiting program to learn what it has to offer.
Information for health professionals
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Funding
Find details on Home Visiting Program awardees.
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Grantee resources
Get technical assistance and other information for Home Visiting Program awardees.
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