Platts Legislation to Promote Early-Childhood Development Passes the House Labor and Education Committee

Washington, D.C. – The House Education and Labor Committee Wednesday approved the “Education Begins at Home Act (EBAH)” (H.R. 2343), legislation introduced by U.S. Congressmen Danny Davis (D-IL-7) and Todd Platts (R-PA-19) that authorizes state grants for the establishment or expansion of early childhood home visitation programs.  Home visitation programs deliver parental education and family support services directly to parents with young children.  Under these programs, parents are taught how best to support their children during their most formative years.

“Investing in children during the earliest years of their lives builds their emotional and physical development and improves the economic productivity of our society,” said Congressman Platts.  “Home visitation programs prevent child abuse and neglect, reduce crime and violence in later years and give new parents the tools they need to be better parents.”

EBAH would authorize $150 million in grants for fiscal year 2009 for quality early childhood home visitation programs for pregnant women and parents of children up until kindergarten in order to promote school readiness, improved child health and development, reductions in child maltreatment, and other positive parenting practices.  A competitive grant program would also be established (beyond the original authorization) to expand home visitation services to military families and those with limited-English proficiency.  A public education and information campaign driven by the federal Department of Health and Human Services would educate new parents about the importance of proper care for infants and children under five years of age. 

 
Companion legislation has been introduced in the United States Senate by Senators Christopher Bond (R-MO) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY).  S. 667 has been co-sponsored by Pennsylvania Senator Robert Casey.