HV Sign On Letter July 2016

Join advocates to support the passage of the Family First Services Prevention Act of 2016. Add your name here.

 

Full letter: 

June 30, 2016

Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Reid, Chairman Hatch, and Ranking Member Wyden:

We the undersigned organizations representing the National Home Visiting Coalition (Coalition) are writing in support of the bipartisan, bicameral Family First Prevention Services Act (S. 3065).  This landmark legislation is the next step in the long history of congressional action to protect children.  We commend you for your continued commitment to providing high quality preventative services and protection from harm to our nation’s most overburdened families and vulnerable children.

The Act provides increased federal investments in prevention and would allow funds under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act to be used for quality mental health, substance abuse prevention and treatment services, and in-home parent based skills in order to keep children safely in their families and communities. As a Coalition comprised of advocates for children and families, home visiting model developers, service providers, and leading home visiting experts, we are keenly aware of the multigenerational impact that early childhood home visiting has on the lives of families.

We applaud you for your recognition in the Act of the importance of in-home parent skill building, specifically early childhood home visiting, by making 12 months of home visiting services an allowable use of Title IV-E funds for children at-risk for out of home placement. Since most home visiting programs last longer than 12 months, the ability to draw down these funds will require coordination between Title IV-E and other federal, state, and private sources of home visiting funding, such as the Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program.  We look forward to working creatively to ensure that communities have the flexibility and resources to address the needs of the at-risk children and families who most need the help.

The Family First and Prevention Services Act represents a historic moment for our most vulnerable children and families. We urge Senate action on this important legislation and thank you for your continued commitment to the well-being of our nation’s children.