HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19
(By Delegate Perdue)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the
possible expansion of in-home family education programs (Early
Parent Education) as a research based and cost effective way
of bringing resources and families together to ensure that
children grow up healthy and ready to learn.
Whereas, The Legislature has recognized the benefit of in-home
family education, using research-based models to provide voluntary,
ongoing parent education and family support services to families
with young children, mostly through home visits; and
Whereas, There are currently thirty programs in twenty-four
counties which last year served nearly one thousand seven hundred
families representing more than five thousand individuals; and
Whereas, In-home family education offers parents an approach
that enhances their children's readiness to learn; and
Whereas, Children in participating families show improved early
literacy, language, problem solving, social awareness, competence,
basic skills and have higher standardized test scores; and
Whereas, Families who receive in-home family education rely
less on public assistance, have a healthier interval between pregnancies, fewer problems with substance abuse and less criminal
justice involvement; and
Whereas, Families who receive in-home family education are more
likely to have health insurance and a medical home, to seek
prenatal and well-child care, and to get their children immunized;
and
Whereas, Research shows that participation in in-home family
education is associated with higher rates of high school graduation
and reductions in adolescent risk behavior; and
Whereas, A need exists in West Virginia to offer services to
enhance early learning by children; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study the need for expansion and funding for in-home
family education programs; and, be it
Further Resolved, The Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, two
thousand six, on its finding, conclusions and recommendations
together with drafts of any legislation to effectuate its
recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.
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