Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) is joining organizations across the country to recognize National Home Visiting Week, April 20–24, 2026—a time to celebrate the impact of home visiting programs on children, families, and communities.
National Home Visiting Week honors the important work of home visitors—trained professionals who partner with families during pregnancy and early childhood to support healthy development, strengthen parent-child relationships, and connect families to local resources.
Through its Healthy Families Nebraska – Southwest program, SWNPHD provides free and voluntary home visiting services to families across its nine-county service area. The program is funded through the Nebraska Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (N-MIECHV) program and focuses on supporting families from pregnancy through early childhood.
“Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, and every family’s journey looks different,” said Diana Garcia, Program Manager at SWNPHD. “Our role is to walk alongside parents—supporting their strengths, answering questions, and helping them build confidence as they raise their children.”
Home visiting programs have been shown to improve maternal and child health outcomes, promote school readiness, and increase family self-sufficiency. Nationwide, more than 284,000 families received home visiting services in 2024, demonstrating the growing reach and importance of these programs.
In rural areas like southwest Nebraska, access to supportive services can be limited. Programs like Healthy Families Nebraska–Southwest help fill this gap by bringing services directly to families in their homes or through flexible meeting options.
Families enrolled in the program receive individualized support based on their needs and goals, which may include:
- Building strong parent-child relationships
- Supporting healthy child development
- Connecting to healthcare and community resources
- Promoting safe sleep and injury prevention
- Encouraging family well-being and resilience
“Home visiting is about partnership,” Garcia added. “Families are the experts on their own lives. We’re here to support, encourage, and provide tools that help them succeed.”
SWNPHD encourages community members, healthcare providers, and local organizations to recognize National Home Visiting Week by learning more about home visiting services and sharing information with families who may benefit.
Referrals for Healthy Families Nebraska – Southwest are currently being accepted, including self-referrals from families that want to sign up. The program prioritizes families who are pregnant or have infants under three months of age but may serve families with young children across the health district.
For more information about Healthy Families Nebraska – Southwest or to make a referral, contact SWNPHD at 308-345-4223 or visit www.swhealth.ne.gov. Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department serves Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Perkins, and Red Willow counties. Follow SWNPHD on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for updates and resources to support healthy families and communities.