Baby TALK
Baby TALK is a family engagement model built upon infant-mental health principles to provide a framework for intentional and individualized engagement with families. The Baby TALK mission is to positively impact child development and nurture healthy and responsive relationships during the early, critical years. Family engagement programs and professionals build strong relationships with families to come alongside them in support of healthy development, nurturing family-child relationships, and family well-being and growth.
What is the model’s approach to providing home visiting services?
Visits take place at least twice per month, and families may receive weekly visits when appropriate. Baby TALK recommends that families initiate services prenatally, though they may enroll at any point before the child turns 5 years old.
Baby TALK serves all families with young children. Program funding sources may define a specific service population.
Who is implementing the model?
Home Visitors
Baby TALK was implemented by 233 home visitors in 2022. The model strongly recommends a bachelor’s degree and requires Baby TALK certification for home visitors. Home visitors usually serve 12–24 families.
Supervisors
Baby TALK was implemented by 66 supervisors in 2022. The model requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience working with young children and families for supervisors.
Where is the model implemented?
Baby TALK operated in 78 local agencies across 11 states and the District of Columbia in 2022.
Families Served Through Home Visiting in 2022
Race
1% American Indian Alaska Native
4% Asian
18% Black
<1% Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander
64% White
4% Multiple
8% Another race
Caregiver age
10% ≤21 years
37% 22-29 years
47% 30-44 years
6% ≥45 years
Caregiver education
18% No HS diploma
37% HS diploma or GED
26% Some college or training
19% Bachelor's degree or higher
Ethnicity
25% Hispanic or Latino
75% Not Hispanic or Latino
Household income
62% Low-income status
38% Not low-income status
Primary language
74% English
16% Spanish
10% Another language
Child insurance status
75% Public
23% Private
2% None
Child age
25% <1 year
62% 1-2 years
13% 3-5 years