Maine Families is a home visiting program serving families throughout Maine, supported by revenue from the Fund for a Healthy Maine. It is a cost-effective, evidenced-based program with positive outcomes for children (and families) related to school readiness, reduced risk of child abuse and neglect, and supporting the physical and emotional health of children.

The proposed state budget eliminates all funding for home visiting, sounding the death knell of Maine Families statewide.

In Androscoggin County, Maine Families is offered by Advocates for Children and, since last July, 235 families countywide have accessed services.

Statewide outcomes for home visiting are impressive: 94 percent of primary caregivers who enter Maine Families without a high school diploma obtained their diploma or GED; 91 percent of participating parents who sought employment achieved full- or part-time employment; children in Maine Families have an immunization rate of 93 percent (20 points above the state rate); 94 percent of enrolled mothers received adequate prenatal care compared to Maine’s overall rate of 85 percent, saving significant health costs associated with premature and low birth weight babies; and the child abuse substantiation rate for families participating in Maine Families is less than half the state rate.

Maine Families saves money. Prevention services such as home visiting are cost-effective with every dollar spent in prevention saving $7 in later intervention costs. Investing in our children is one of the best investments we can make in the long-term health of our community.

Maine Families home visiting needs to stay.

Stephen B. Jacobs, M.D., FAAP, Lewiston

Editor’s note: Dr. Stephen Jacobs is a board member of Advocates for Children.