This resolution designates the week of April 21 through April 25, 2025, as "National Home Visiting Week" to recognize the importance of home visiting programs for children and new parents.
Charles "Chuck" Grassley
Senator
IA
This resolution officially designates the week of April 21 through April 25, 2025, as "National Home Visiting Week." It recognizes the critical role that evidence-based home visiting programs play in supporting new parents and ensuring healthy development for young children. The bill highlights the extensive reach of these services, which support hundreds of thousands of families nationwide. By supporting this designation, the Senate affirms the value of these programs in strengthening families and promoting positive early childhood outcomes.
Senate Resolution Designates April 21–25, 2025, as 'National Home Visiting Week,' Recognizing Early Childhood Support
This resolution is short, sweet, and focused on recognition: it officially designates the week of April 21 through April 25, 2025, as “National Home Visiting Week.” While it doesn't change any laws or funding, the purpose is to give a formal nod to the importance of home visiting programs that support new parents and young children.
Why This Matters to Busy Families
For anyone juggling a new baby, a demanding job, and rising costs, the idea of having a trained professional—a home visitor—come to your house to offer practical support sounds pretty good. This resolution highlights that these programs are designed to help parents navigate the critical early years of a child's life, which is when the brain is developing fastest. Essentially, home visitors provide tools, emotional support, and education to strengthen family bonds and promote positive parenting habits, potentially lowering the risk of neglect or abuse.
The Reach of the Program
The resolution isn't just making a feel-good statement; it’s backing it up with data on the existing, massive infrastructure. It notes that evidence-based home visiting services are currently active in all 50 states, D.C., five territories, and over half of all U.S. counties. For context, in fiscal year 2023 alone, the Federal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program supported over 139,000 parents and children through more than 919,000 visits. Across all programs, over 280,000 families received services via 2.8 million visits, delivered by over 20,000 home visitors and supervisors nationwide. This isn't a niche service; it’s a widespread support system.
What the Senate is Actually Doing
Since this is a resolution, it’s a statement of sentiment, not a binding law that forces spending or creates new regulations. The Senate is simply giving its official stamp of approval to the idea of celebrating these programs during that specific week in 2025. For the parents, home visitors, and organizations involved, this formal recognition can be a big deal, often leading to increased public awareness, which is crucial for maintaining and growing support for these services in the future. It’s the policy equivalent of giving a shout-out to the people doing the hard, necessary work on the ground.