Who Could Benefit?
Early childhood home visiting provides support and connections that can benefit all pregnant and parenting families. Nationally, we estimate the number of pregnant women and families who are potential beneficiaries, including all pregnant women and families with children under 6 years old and not yet in kindergarten.
Of the potential beneficiaries (Source: Estimates of potential beneficiaries come from the [American Community Survey (2019–2023)](https://usa.ipums.org/usa/index.shtml). The 2019-2023 American Community Survey is the most recent 5-year file available at the time of analysis. The estimate of pregnant women is based on mothers with infants, with certain adjustments. See the [methodology section](https://nhvrc.org/yearbook/2025-yearbook/methodology/) for more information on methods.)Go to footnote #>1—
- 15.7 million are families with young children
- 1.2 million are pregnant women without young children
Many families have more than one child who could benefit from home visiting.
Potential children who could benefit include—
Home visiting has great potential to improve the lives of all young children and families, yet limited resources restrict the number who receive services. As a result, most home visiting services are geared toward particular populations, including young expectant caregivers, young and first-time caregivers, families with infants, and families with insufficient incomes.
Other priority groups may include—
- Single mothers
- Caregivers with limited education
- Families with a history of substance use or child maltreatment
- Children with developmental delays
How Many Families and Children Fall Within the Priority Populations?
It is not possible to present data on some of these families in our estimates using the American Community Survey, which does not collect data on substance use, child maltreatment, or developmental delays. To account for this reality, the 2025 Home Visiting Yearbook contains estimates of five potential priority populations captured by the American Community Survey.
Supporting Justice-Involved Families
Since 2013, Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment in Minnesota has offered parenting groups in the county jail. In 2024, the department’s home visiting team adopted a new curriculum that emphasizes parent-child relationships. Home visitors facilitate weekly sessions within the jail. According to Family Health Nursing Supervisor Tyler Roenicke, “. . . Home visiting programs like ours and others across the nation can be a place of support for families. That is really what drives me to continue to do this work and want to expand programs like the Jail Parenting Program.”