About Us
The Office of Home Visiting (OHV)

is a program within the Utah State Department of Health. We work with local Health Departments and not for profit agencies to provide home visits to pregnant women and young families who would like to know more about being parents.

The Home Visiting models OHV supports have been well researched and have been shown to have a positive impact on the families who participate. Home Visitors are well trained and can provide information about breast feeding, toilet training, nutrition, home safety, child development and much much more.

Home visits are tailored to the needs of the families being served. They are designed to be conducted in the home of the family, however, they can be done in an office, park or where ever Mom and the baby are most comfortable.

Here are some benefits of Home Visiting Programs according to Child & Family Research Partnership:

MOMS AND BABIES ARE HEALTHIER
“One study found that mothers who participated in a home visiting program were half as likely to have a baby born low-birthweight, which greatly reduced these babies risk for health and developmental problems.”
CHILDREN ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR SCHOOL
“Home visiting programs promote positive parenting practices that help parents better prepare their children for school.” “Home visiting programs have also demonstrated long-term, positive impacts on children’s academic achievement.”
CHILDREN ARE SAFER
“In one program, children of participating families experienced 40 percent fewer injuries between the ages of two to four, and they were 35 percent less likely to visit an emergency room compared to children not enrolled.”

The Home Visiting models OHV supports are:

NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP:
A nurse visits with first time Moms, beginning during their pregnancy to provide one on one support until the child turns two years old.

PARENTS AS TEACHERS:
A proven Home Visiting program providing one on one support for parents during the critical early years of child development ages zero to five.

Frequently Asked Questions:
  • You need to contact a local agency which offers Home Visiting. To find an agency near you go to “Locations” on our menu bar.
  • You need to be pregnant or have a child under age 5. (These requirements differ, depending on the program the agency offers.)
  • You need to have limited income. If you qualify for WIC, you will also qualify for Home Visiting.
  • You need to be interested in learning new things about being a parent.
  • It might be a nurse or a professional home visitor.
  • It will be a person who has received training and is certified to be a Home Visitor.
  • It will be a person who has received a background check.
  • It will be a person who cares about children and their families.
  • It will be a person who respects the values of you and your family.
  • It will be a person who will show you new ways to have fun with your child.
  • The frequency of a home Visit depends on the program offered. Sometimes a Home Visitor may come once a week, but usually it is about twice a month.
  • Most home visits last about an hour. There could be times a home visit lasts about 90 minutes.
  • Home Visiting is a free service offered to anyone who meets the qualifications.
  • Sure! Home Visitors love working with the family, grandmas, and aunts, anyone who helps care for the child.

Home Visitors want you and your family to have a great experience with you child.

They respect your values and will give you simple ideas to maximize your child’s development and your family’s well being.

Contact Us

Feel free to keep in touch with us!