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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