Alabama Increases Funding for Home Visiting in 2021

In April 2021, Alabama passed The Education Trust Fund budget SB 189, which included many increases in funding for programs serving children and families. There is a $1.8M increase for the First Teacher home visiting program. First Teacher offers three evidence-based home visiting models: Nurse Family Partnership, Parents as Teachers, and Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY). Outcomes for these models include improved parental physical and mental health, reduced physical abuse, improved health and nutrition treatment for children, promoting economic self-sufficiency for families, connecting families to community resources and services, and promoting child school readiness.

As the lead designated state agency for home visiting, Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) can maximize how home visiting is provided as part of the comprehensive state system of services for families with young children. ADECE plans to use the increased funding to support Alabama’s goals to offer a comprehensive continuum of home visiting services to every family who would like to participate. First Teacher reaches all of Alabama’s 67 counties, though many programs have families on waiting lists. The increase in funding will allow as many as 250 additional Alabama families to receive home visiting services. The funds will also provide opportunities to increase wages and reimbursement rates for home visitors. The past two years Alabama home visiting programs that operate on a school year schedule offered families summer learning and this opportunity will extend through this fiscal year.

Home Visiting is an essential component in a strong support system for babies and their families.