During the last week of April, United Way of King County was thrilled to celebrate the first annual National Home Visiting Week, a dedicated time to recognize home visitors and the positive impact they have on children and families.

ParentChild+ includes a diverse and multicultural network of organizations supporting their communities. The local ParentChild+ program covers over 60 zip codes and 20 languages. This network includes highly skilled and committed home visiting professionals, mostly women of color, who support families with low incomes.

Washington’s ParentChild+ home visitors help caregivers meet the unique needs of their children and strengthen family relationships. Their work reduces isolation, affirms cultural values and practices, increases feelings of belonging, and strengthens community.

Many parents with young children experience stressors: financial strain, concerns about their children’s health and development, parental loneliness, and navigating multiple formal systems. Home visiting through our ParentChild+ programs includes various programs and models to support families. It is a powerful way to strengthen families and communities.

Early Learning Specialists (ParentChild+ home visiting staff) meet with their program families twice a week, bringing educational toys and books, resources, and information to support parents in preparing their children for academic success.

Early Learning Specialists share a linguistic and cultural connection with their ParentChild+ families. Sharing similar backgrounds and experiences helps staff as they support ParentChild+ families in achieving their goals. Staff provide referrals, help families navigate systems, and support graduates with enrollment in preschool and other programs once they complete ParentChild+.

Investing in early learning programs and staff supports the future well-being and success of our children, families, and region. Today (and every day), we celebrate Washington’s ParentChild+ home visitors! Thank you, ParentChild+ staff, for delivering enriching early learning opportunities, providing holistic support to families, and strengthening our local communities.

To learn more about the National Home Visiting Week, please visit the Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals website.

To learn more about the local ParentChild+ program, please visit United Way of King County’s Early Learning webpage.