INDIANAPOLIS — The clock is ticking on a program that has helped thousands of families across Indiana.
Funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program is set to expire in September. Healthy Families Indiana facilitates the program for more than 2,000 families in the state.
Kendra Scott, an engagement specialist with Healthy Families, said the work they do is imperative.
RELATED: Information for Healthy Families Indiana where you live
"It takes a village and we want to be part of that village," Scott said. "We offer them training as it comes child development, connecting socially other parents, community partnerships, networking, resources, linking them to healthcare."
While those things are great, Scott said she also enjoys the little victories.
"I think for me, it's seeing the little small pieces, just those little aha moments, when they recognize, 'Oh I should be on the floor playing and why it's important," Scott said.
Kayla Boyd came to Healthy Families after a divorce. Three years later, she graduated from the program and now works for them. She said she's proof the program works.
"Healthy Families gave me the tools and resources I needed to be self-sufficient," Boyd said. "It sets children up to succeed but also the parents. We're called Health Families for a reason. We're creating healthy families and this funding does just that."
Healthy Families is funded by the federal government under the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program.
In 2020, Healthy Families received a portion of $29.6 million dollars given to Indiana for programs related to maternal and child health. That funding must be reauthorized by Congress by September or it will expire. It'll leave families like Boyd's without the home visits many of them count on over the course of three to five years.
She hopes lawmakers see the success she's had with the program, along with her gratitude, and choose to act before funding expires
WRTV has reached out to Central Indiana's DC Delegation of lawmakers to ask about reauthorizing funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Visiting Program. We have not heard back from anyone yet.
-
Stellantis invests $100M in Kokomo, part of $13B US expansion
Stellantis announced it will invest over $100 million in Kokomo facilities and add more than 100 jobs as part of a record $13 billion US expansion over the next four years.
LatinX Pride focuses on culture and wellness amid safety concerns
With heightened immigration enforcement and fear in the community, LatinX Pride canceled many in-person events and shifted to virtual programming focused on education and resources.
Man dies days after shooting on Indianapolis west side
A 40-year-old man has died days after he was shot on the near west side of Indianapolis Sunday afternoon.
Purdue plans to buy Canal Square Apartments, further expanding downtown campus
Purdue plans to purchase the downtown apartment building located on the canal, as a part of the university’s 50-year campus master plan for Indianapolis.
