AVANCE, Inc. CEO Rick Noriega, AVANCE-Austin Executive Director Sofia Casini and AVANCE participants at the Capitol
Child abuse, poverty, unemployment — these are some of society’s costliest problems that have roots in the earliest years of a child’s development. Quality early childhood education programs, including voluntary monthly home visits, help at-risk families get the right start. AVANCE offers monthly, one-on-one home visits to families as a part of our holistic approach to promoting school-readiness in underserved communities On March 15th, AVANCE graduates joined AVANCE, Inc. CEO, Rick Noriega, and Executive Director, Sofia Casini, for Home Visiting Advocacy Day at the Texas State Capitol.
Sponsored by the Texas Association for the Protection of Children, the day was to garner support among legislators for Senate Bill 426. The bill would provide funding to increase the number of families served by programs that offer home visits. AVANCE participant mothers and their children went door to door at Capitol offices to share their stories with decision makers. Home visits reinforce the skills parents and children gain in the AVANCE classroom, promote a safe home environment, and help identify any delays in the child’s development so that referrals to partner non-profit agencies can be made.
Currently, home visiting only serves 9% of the highest need families in Texas, which experts say is actually costing the state a lot more in the long run through emergency room visits, social welfare programs, and juvenile corrections systems. The Rand Corporation estimates a return of $5.70 for every dollar invested in quality home visiting programs. Let your Representative know that you support Senate Bill 426 to help AVANCE families.
For more information visit http://www.texprotects.org/site/News2?id=5974
