Home Visiting

Family Support home visiting focuses on nurturing the parent-child relationship. As a child’s first teacher, the relationship they have with their caregiver(s) create the foundation for lifelong health and well-being.  

No. NH Home Visiting programs are voluntary, meaning you participate because you want to. Home visitors are not child protective service workers. They are trained family support professionals who work with families to achieve their goals and connect with community resources, while focusing on child development, bonding and attachment.  

Your home visitor will talk with you about topics that matter most to you. Some topics home visitors may discuss include feeding, crying, play, child development and bonding, and connecting to needed resources like WIC, a pediatrician or health insurance.  You may also have opportunities for a nurse to visit you.  Some nurses and home visitors are Certified Lactation Consultants (CLCs) who can support you if you are breastfeeding.  

Different home visiting models have different visit schedules. Home visit frequency can vary from weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or even less. If you enroll in home visiting, your home visitor will develop a visit schedule with you.

Your visit will typically last between 1 and 1 ½ hours, depending on what works best for you. 

No. NH Home Visiting Services are paid for through a combination of federal grants and state funding. Participants will not be billed for services.  

No. While your doctor could make the referral, you can self-refer. Use the Program Locator on this page to find the program in your area. You can call or email to get started. If you’re not sure where to begin, feel free to reach out to MIECHV@dhhs.nh.gov or CFSSprogram@dhhs.nh.gov and we can get you connected.  

You can decide to discontinue visits at any time.  Families may begin to receive visits during pregnancy and will continue following a service plan to support you achieving the goals you set. If you feel you’ve achieved what you’ve set out to, or that home visiting doesn’t fit into your life anymore, you can choose to discontinue at any time.  

Yes. Home visits may take place at the home visitor’s office or any other safe place in the community that you choose, like a relative’s house, a park, or a library. Virtual visits are offered as needed.   

Yes. Some home visitors work flexible hours to meet the needs of families.  It may be possible to meet early in the morning, during your lunch break or in the early evening hours. 

You may invite anyone who is important to you to join your visit. This may be a partner, family member or friend. Anyone you consider a support.