Olympia – The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) recently selected four home visiting programs to expand their existing services to an additional 146 families. These programs will bring services to families across the state in areas with the highest need based on the recent home visiting needs assessment.

“The expansion of home visiting slots will serve as an important tool in our state’s effort to ensure a lasting impact for the youth and families in Washington for generations to come,” said DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter.

The successful applicants were selected following an intensive application and review process, which included panel reviews and an interview. The panel reviews were conducted by partners in the field and across the state, as well as parents who have direct insight into the benefits of home visiting services.

The expansion funding – which was approved by the Washington State Legislature – is slightly more than $1 million. The programs selected for expansion are:

• Spokane County Health District NFP: $293,215 to serve 50 families (in the Spokane School locale)
• Thurston County Public Health and Social Services NFP: $289,000 to serve 38 families (in the Centralia School locale)
• West African Community Council Parent Child+: $225,000 to serve 40 families (in the Highline School locale)
• Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital NFP: $243,000 to serve 16 tribal families (on the Yakama Indian Reservation)

Home visiting is a voluntary, family-centered service offered to expectant parents and families with new babies and young children to support the physical, social and emotional health and development of the child. It is recognized as an effective strategy for improving child health and development.

“We are excited to be able to pair families with trained professionals to support the healthy development of children and the success of families,” said Judy King, DCYF Director of Family Support Programs. “This expansion will allow for trained home visitors to work with more families, and we commend the ongoing commitment of our local prevention partners that make this happen.”

For more information on Home Visiting, visit https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/child-dev-support-providers/home-visiting.

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