Healthy Families Oregon requests $6M to expand home visiting program across the state

The Oregon Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health convened on February 27, 2025, to discuss the impactful outcomes of the Healthy Families Oregon (HFO) program. This nationally accredited initiative, based on the Healthy Families America model, aims to prevent child abuse and neglect through home visiting services.

During the meeting, representatives highlighted that HFO has demonstrated significant success in reducing child abuse by 77% and neglect by 33%. The program promotes nurturing parenting practices, which have been shown to help families avoid foster care placements. The effectiveness of HFO is supported by extensive independent reviews and federal ratings, indicating its positive impact across diverse racial and ethnic groups.

Key statistics presented included a 27% reduction in homelessness among participating families and improved health outcomes, such as increased attendance at well-child visits and higher immunization rates. The program also addresses behavioral health by screening for substance use and mental health issues, leading to improved coping mechanisms among parents.

In 2023, HFO served 2,120 families and conducted over 26,000 home visits, with 63% of families identifying as non-white and speaking over 100 languages. The program's economic impact is notable, with a return of up to $3.16 for every dollar invested, not accounting for intangible benefits like enhanced parent-child interactions.

The committee discussed barriers to access, particularly concerns about demographic data collection potentially deterring families from participating. HFO representatives acknowledged these concerns and emphasized their efforts to reassure families about confidentiality and the benefits of participation.

To expand access, HFO has proposed a budget request of $6 million to increase capacity, allowing for an additional 1,500 families to be screened annually. This funding would support hiring more home visitors and enhancing service delivery.

Overall, the meeting underscored the critical role of Healthy Families Oregon in fostering healthier families and communities, while addressing the need for increased resources to reach more families in need.