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Advocates warn FY26 cuts could shrink home visiting and perinatal programs
Summary
Children's Law Center, home visiting staff and health providers told the Committee on Health that proposed FY26 changes to DC Health's Community Health Services may zero out some perinatal funding and reduce local home visiting grants, risking staff layoffs and family discharges.
Advocates for families and maternal health testified on June 6 that the mayor's FY26 DC Health proposal contains funding moves and cuts that could reduce home visiting capacity and perinatal services.
Leah Kaslas of the Children's Law Center said the FY26 proposal transfers the Healthy Housing program into DC Health but also includes "a zeroing out of the perinatal and infant health and a $2,100,000 cut to family health." She said figures are difficult to interpret because reorganization and agency crosswalks have not been published.
Home visiting providers described possible deep reductions. Fernandez Ruiz, home visiting director at Mary's Center, said DC Health plans an RFA for…
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