Help Me Grow supporters ask committee to keep governor’s home-visiting expansion intact

Representatives from Every Child Succeeds, home visitors and program alumni urged the House Children and Human Services Committee to retain the governor’s proposed expansion of Help Me Grow home-visiting services.

Dr. Jennifer Frey, president and CEO of Every Child Succeeds, called home visiting for prenatal-to-age-3 families “the most cost effective means” of improving long-term education, health and economic outcomes. She told members that the governor proposed about $63,590,000 for FY26 to reach an estimated 19,200 families, which Frey said equates to roughly $3,312 per family annually.

Witnesses noted that only a small share of families in need currently receive home visiting: Frey cited a figure that last year only 8.8% of eligible families were served. Former program participants and current staff described individual outcomes: Amy Humphrey, a program alum who now serves as an Every Child Succeeds ambassador, credited the program with building parenting confidence and said it helped her graduate college and advance her career.

Jovanna Williams, a registered nurse and former program participant turned home visitor, described receipt of tangible supports such as diapers, books and developmental activities and said her child entered kindergarten academically ahead of peers. Chris Burns, a local business representative and grandparent, testified that home visiting has a business-case return because workers who are supported are likelier to remain productive and employed.

Witnesses asked the committee to keep the governor’s proposed funding trajectory through FY26 and FY27 and emphasized evidence-based models in use locally (Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, Family Connects). Committee members asked clarifying questions about county coverage; Every Child Succeeds said it serves Hamilton, Butler and Clermont counties.

No committee vote or formal action was taken during the hearing.