2025 -- H 6312

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LC002847

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING "RHODE ISLAND HOME VISITING DAY" ON MAY 8, 2025

     Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Cruz,
Potter, Stewart, Alzate, Solomon, and Casimiro

     Date Introduced: May 08, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The early childhood years are the most active period for the developing

brain and a stable, secure relationship with a nurturing, caring adult is a key factor in the

development of young children; and

     WHEREAS, Many parents begin the difficult lifetime job of raising a child feeling

unprepared for the challenges ahead and children have a better, healthier start when parents have

the support and skills needed to raise them; and

     WHEREAS, Home visiting can include a variety of different programs and models,

including early childhood home visiting programs and parenting education programs; and

     WHEREAS, Home visiting programs are completely voluntary and help parents meet the

unique needs of their children, promote healthy development, strengthen family relationships,

reduce the risk of abuse and neglect, and promote equity by providing resources to families who

are furthest from opportunity; and

     WHEREAS, Well-trained professionals implement early childhood home visitation so

that all families have the opportunity to access information in ways that respect their unique

beliefs, traditions and customs; and

     WHEREAS, For at least four decades, Rhode Island’s First Connections program,

overseen by the Department of Health, has been providing free, voluntary, statewide home

visiting to expectant mothers and families with newborns, infants, and toddlers, reaching about

thirty-five percent of families with new babies; and

     WHEREAS, In 2010, Rhode Island expanded home visiting services to fund

implementation of Healthy Families America and Parents as Teachers as nationally-recognized

evidence-based program models that connect pregnant and parenting families with a designated

support person who guides them through the early stages of raising a family; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

commemorates May 8th of 2025, to be “Rhode Island Home Visiting Day” in the State of Rhode

Island, and urges individuals and organizations across our State to utilize home visiting resources

as needed to support the health and well-being of our children and families; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Jerome Larkin, MD, Director of the Rhode

Island Department of Health, and Kim Merolla-Brito, Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Human Services.

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LC002847

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