Who’s Spending $386 Million on Our Babies?

Home Visiting Program

In a typical scenario, a first-time mom heads to the hospital, has a ton of nurses and her doctor at her side during labor and delivery, and then is shuttled home (way too fast, if you ask me) to handle everything on her own. As if by giving birth, we all suddenly have this super human ability to flip a switch and go from being childless to being super mom, knowing not only how to deftly change a diaper without poo going everywhere, but also how to soothe a crying babe, know what to try when breastfeeding isn’t going exactly as planned, and oh, I don’t know, find time to sleep, shower, and be a general person as well.

The first days at home for a new mom are often a bit harrowing (or at least they were for me!), and for all the talking we do as a country about caring for children and wanting to make a better future, we haven’t done a very good job at supporting moms as they embark on parenthood. That said, our government’s Health and Human Services department has just announced that they’re granting $386 million to support the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. This program focuses on communities that have high infant mortality rates, low birth rates, intense poverty, and high teen birth rates, to give those children in greatest need a helping hand. Participating families can have nurses, social workers, and early childhood education experts visit them at home during pregnancy and after baby comes home.

“The Home Visiting Program gives parents who chose to participate, the tools they need to support healthy outcomes for their children,” said Mary Wakefield, Ph.D., RN, administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). “Evidence-based home visiting services are proven to help improve maternal and child health, prevent child abuse and neglect, and enhance school-readiness.”

I agree that these services are most needed in poorer neighborhoods, but I really hope we see the day when every parent is granted these kinds of home visits. I know that that would cost even more money ($386 million already seems like a lot!) but I have a feeling that programs like this could actually save us money in the long run. I mean, think about it this way. How much money does our government spend on remedial education? On early childhood health issues? On graffiti clean up in our communities? On drug rehab? On court hearings and jail sentences? Answer? A whole lot more than $386 million. And if we can spend the money upfront to ensure that our children grow up healthy, happy, and productive, I am sure that we could avoid a lot of those costs later on. Sure, there will always be problems in the world, but giving kids the best start possible coming right out of the gate isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do.

If the home visiting program is available to you, do you use it? Would you, if you had access to it? Let’s get talking in the comments!