An Audience on Capitol Hill

In February, families and home visitors from Parents as Teachers and two other home visiting organizations joined a roundtable discussion with the Office of the Second Lady, ACF Assistant Secretary Dr. Alex Adams, HHS leaders, and Congressional staff in Washington, DC. 

The conversation focused on HRSA’s Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, which provides critical funding for many Parents as Teachers programs. 

“The HRSA roundtable was an incredible and humbling experience,” said Barbara Ramos, who supervises a Parents as Teachers affiliate embedded in the BJHCHS health clinic in South Carolina. “It created a space for meaningful conversations about the real impact of home visiting programs like MIECHV.” 

Building connections and sharing a common bond – the desire to see children succeed – left an impression on Barbara and on Nyisha Gathers, a parent educator on Barbara’s team who also participated in the event. 

“As a home visitor, this experience deepened my understanding that, although we serve families in different states and communities, many of the needs are universal,” Nyisha said. “Families are seeking support, connection, and resources to help their children thrive. This realization strengthened my commitment to my role and highlighted the shared purpose among home visitors across the country.” 

Parents as Teachers National Center Senior Vice President and Chief Program Office Kerry Caverly represented the three home visiting organizations as a spokesperson for the work of family and child support services. 

See a few photos from the event here.