Kansas home‑visiting providers outline services, reach and outcomes for families

Representatives of Kansas home‑visiting programs told members of the Kansas Early Learning Caucus that their services reach families across the state, connect parents with health and social supports and show evidence of positive child and family outcomes.

At an advocacy day presentation, Heather Schroetberger, executive director of the Kansas Head Start Association, said Early Head Start home visitors provide weekly 90‑minute home visits to pregnant people and children under 3, connect families to health and early‑intervention services, and made nearly 74,000 home visits in fiscal year 2024. Schroetberger said Early Head Start uses income‑based eligibility for families facing economic or social challenges.

The session brought concise descriptions of multiple nationally recognized models and local delivery partners and included questions from lawmakers and community members about referral routes, geographic gaps and funding.

Kansas Children's Service League Director Kelly Hayes described the Healthy Families model as an evidence‑based, relationship‑focused program that serves 44 counties through 13 program sites in 12 cities. Hayes reported program outcomes her organization tracks: 96% of families kept children at home (avoiding out‑of‑home placements), 93% of parents improved parent‑child interactions and 92% of families reported improved quality of life. Hayes read a participant comment: “KCSL is so amazing. We've been in the program for a year and it has done so…