Coalition Calls For Reauthorization Of Program That Helps Young Parents With Child-Rearing

A coalition of law enforcement agencies and crime victims is asking Congress to reauthorize the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, which allows nurses to prepare young parents for the stress of child-rearing.

Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn said the home visits can reduce child abuse and the chance that kids will later become criminals.

“We know the vast majority of people who come from at-risk families don’t go on to a life of crime. We know that those who go on to a life of crime overwhelmingly come from serious dysfunction in a family unit that could have been ameliorated or dealt with if there were quality programs available. And that’s really where this program comes in,” said Flynn.

The coalition says Wisconsin has received $27 million through the program in the past five years, including $8 million last year.

Backers worry that future money for the home visits is snagged in a larger measure covering Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors.