Parents praise Mendocino County home visiting program during public comment

Several parents and caregivers told the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors during the March 12 public comment period that the county's home visiting program had improved their parenting skills, connected them to services and provided emotional support.

Participants described the program as free and said home visitors provided regular visits, concrete resources and encouragement. One participant said the home visitor "has been wonderful. She's, you know, on time. She lets me know if there's gonna be any changes in the schedule." Another urged parents not to be afraid to seek help, saying, "Don't be afraid to take that step. Like, don't be afraid to get help. ... it's always okay to have extra support and don't do it alone."

The comments began during the meeting's public expression period and were delivered by multiple residents who identified themselves as current or former participants in the county's home visiting program. Speakers said the program helped with tasks ranging from infant care and developmental monitoring to referrals for education and employment. One participant described the relationship with her home visitor as long-term, noting, "I said to me, Jeanette, I said, Jeanette, you're supposed to be with me for 5 years. Jeanette said, yeah. I know. I'm gonna be with you guys for 5 years." Several speakers said the program was free, with one adding, "You got nothing to lose. It's free. I'm grateful that I took advantage because it's something that has put me in touch with my child or closer to my child and her development."

Speakers described nonclinical benefits as well: decreased isolation, more confidence in parenting and a sense of personal encouragement. One former participant said the program helped her obtain school credits and move toward a business degree; another said the home visitor acted "like a second mom." Several speakers described home visitors by name (for example, Jeanette and Gabby) and said they had developed close, ongoing relationships with families.

No formal action or vote on the program was recorded during the meeting. Comments were taken during the public expression agenda item; the board recessed into closed session after public comment and later reconvened with no reportable action.

The statements in this article are drawn from public-comment excerpts during the March 12 meeting of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. Quotations are verbatim from speakers who identified themselves as participants in the home visiting program.