Real Families, Real Impact: Rappahannock Healthy Families Highlights Home Visiting Success in D.C.

Last week, Rappahannock Healthy Families proudly participated in the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) and Office of the Second Lady Roundtable at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The roundtable brought together families, home visitors, and federal leaders to discuss how MIECHV investments in maternal health and early childhood development are making a measurable difference nationwide. Conversations highlighted how home visiting programs are improving postpartum health outcomes, building confident and resilient parents, strengthening parent-child bonds, and boosting early language development during critical early years.

Leadership from HRSA, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), HHS, the FDA, Staff from Office of Second Lady; Usha Vance and National Model developers gathered to listen firsthand to the experiences of those delivering and receiving home visiting services across the country.

Representing Virginia, Rappahannock Healthy Families, home visitor Ivy Lee and parent Jadia Brown shared powerful stories about their home visiting journey and its impact on their family. Nine-month-old Genesis charmed attendees with her sweet disposition and bright smile — even captivating HRSA Administrator Tom Engels — serving as a joyful reminder of the life-changing work home visiting does to make this possible every day.