(Area) Across Southwest Iowa, hundreds of families are stronger today thanks to the quiet, powerful work of family support home visitors. National Home Visiting Week takes place April 20–24, celebrating and recognizing home visitors and the impact they have on maternal and child health outcomes.
Home visiting connects pregnant individuals and families with young children to trained family support professionals who provide personalized coaching and guidance throughout pregnancy and early childhood. Using a variety of evidence-based models, home visiting supports healthy birth outcomes, increases family self-sufficiency, and helps children enter school fully prepared to succeed. Home visiting programs are offered in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Closer to home, there are programs available free to families in each of our Southwest Iowa Counties (Monona, Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie, Cass, Montgomery, Mills, Fremont, and Page) through support and funding from the Thriving Families Alliance Early Childhood Iowa Board. www.thrivingfamiliesalliance.org
In 2025, more than 200 families, representing over 300 children, participated in home visiting services across Southwest Iowa. To celebrate National Home Visiting Week, organizations nationwide are sharing stories that highlight the life-changing impact of this work. Locally, we have gathered powerful testimonials from families, including video stories, available at www.childandfamilyresourcenetwork.org.
One mother described her home visitor as “a lifeline…who didn’t let this boat sink.” Another shared, “There was never a time I felt I couldn’t trust her.” These voices reflect the experiences of hundreds of families across our region.
The Child and Family Resource Network serves as a one-stop connection point for family support programs throughout Southwest Iowa. Families interested in high-quality support can complete a simple online form at www.childandfamilyresourcenetwork.org/form to get connected. Providers and community partners can request information or schedule a presentation by contacting cpowders@thrivingfamiliesalliance.org.
The Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals, an organization focused on strengthening home visiting and human service programs across the country, is collaborating with nonprofit partners and elected officials to organize National Home Visiting Week. The Institute offers a free online training program to help family support professionals learn new skills to support the growth of the home visiting workforce. “Home visiting is a powerful tool to
help make our families and communities stronger and more resilient,” said Institute executive director Janet Horras. “Our local home visitors are incredible and we’re proud to highlight their important work through National Home Visiting Week and beyond.”
To support National Home Visiting Week in 2025, U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R–Iowa) and Mark Warner (D–Virginia) and issued a Senate Resolution to highlight the importance of home visiting.
We extend our sincere thanks to our local partners: Burgess Health Center (Onawa, IA), Harrison County Home and Public Health (Logan, IA), Myrtue Medical Center (Harlan, IA), Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (Council Bluffs, IA), Visiting Nurse Association (Council Bluffs, IA), Nishna Valley YMCA (Atlantic, IA), Mills County Public Health (Glenwood, IA), Southwest Iowa Families (Clarinda, IA), Iowa State Extension and Outreach Fremont County (Sidney, IA), and Iowa State Extension and Outreach (Clarinda, IA).
We also recognize and thank our dedicated family support professionals who pour their hearts and souls into strengthening families and building healthier communities every day.
Every day, home visitors show up for families, offering guidance, stability, and hope when it’s needed most.
Molina Healthcare is a national sponsor of National Home Visiting Week.
To learn more about National Home Visiting Week and the Institute, visit https://www.theinstitutefsp.org . For more information about any of our available programs, visit www.childandfamilyresourcenetwork.org
