Investing in children’s lives during their earliest years helps them build the foundation for all future learning, development, health and academic achievement. One proven way to support families is through evidence-based home visiting programs. These programs pair trained professionals with parents of young children to build strong families and reach their goals in child development, family well-being, parent-child relationships, school readiness and family economic self-sufficiency. Home visitors form trusting relationships with families and tailor support to each family’s needs and strengths. It is evidence-based, which means it has proven results, and is voluntary and free for families.
Positive Results for Parents, Kids
Participating in home visiting has been shown to be a positive influence on both parents and kids. Parents who participate are more likely to be employed or in school, access prenatal care and engage in positive parenting techniques like reading to their children while having fewer Child Protective Services and emergency medical care calls.
Kids in home visiting programs have improved early language and cognitive development, greater math and reading achievement in elementary school and fewer absentee rates and suspensions from school.
For all these reasons and more, I introduced LB104, the Family Home Visitation Act, last year. LB104 created a statutory structure and defined evidence-based home visiting in Nebraska statute, and clarified that state funding may only be utilized for evidence-based home visiting models.
Clearly Stated Goals
LB104 also clearly stated in statute that the goals of a state-funded home visiting program must be to improve maternal, infant or child health, promote positive parenting techniques, build healthy parent and child relationships, support cognitive development and reduce child maltreatment and injury, among other goals. It defined an evidence-based home visitation model as one that is associated with or certified by a national organization, has standards that ensure high-quality service delivery, provides continued professional development for staff and demonstrates strong links to other community-based services.
LB104 was amended into State Senator Dungan’s LB22 during the session, passed by senators and signed into law by Governor Pillen in April 2025.
Knowing that this legislation will provide dependable support, strengthen families and give our youngest Nebraskans the strongest possible start in life is deeply rewarding. It has been an honor to serve the people of Nebraska in the Legislature, and I am profoundly grateful for the trust you placed in me to champion the issues that matter most to our future.
Read FFN’s hearing testimony in support of LB104
Read FFNN’s policy brief on LB104: Defining Evidence-Based Home Visiting Programs in Nebraska Statute
