R 270 |
2025 -- H 6312 Enacted 05/08/2025 |
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 |
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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