Congresswoman Gwen Moore Statement on House Passage of the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022

“I am so pleased to support this vital legislation, which helps our most vulnerable new mothers when they need assistance the most. This guidance for new parents — from securing mental health screenings, to helping mothers with the breastfeeding process — benefits both parents and their babies. MIECHV program’s success speaks for itself: it supports children’s development, improves mother’s maternal health, and helps connect families to resources they need. The research shows, through repeated evaluation, this program is consistently proven to provide an improved outcome for families and children.

I can speak personally to the improved outcomes having access to trained home visitors can make. When I was 18 years old, some 50 years ago, when I became a teenage mother, having a home visitor was such a blessing for me and my baby girl. I didn’t even know how to change a diaper. As a new parent, I learned so many skills that I was struggling to learn as a single mother. The home visiting program was a fail-safe for me.

It brings me great joy that this reauthorization, named after my late colleague Jackie Walorski, who was such a champion of MIECHV programs, will improve funding for states and tribes, ensuring that more families can access this amazing resource.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.