NH Delegation Announces $283K through American Rescue Plan to Strengthen Home Visiting Services for Vulnerable Families

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) announced that the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services will receive $283,582 through the American Rescue Plan.

Specifically, the funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will support organizations and initiatives throughout the state that provide services through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. This program aims to provide vulnerable expectant families and families with young children critical skills and resources that improve maternal and newborn health, support the social and educational development of young children and help families succeed. This is an initial allotment of funding from the $150 million the American Rescue Plan allocated for staffing and servicing related to in-home or virtual visits.

“These federal dollars are an important investment in the health and well-being of Granite State children and families,” said Senator Shaheen. “As vulnerable families continue to grapple with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring they have access to vital services like at-home health check-ups, parental education, food and housing assistance has never been more important. This funding will help families stay healthy and navigate challenges created by the pandemic. I’ll continue to advocate for additional federal resources Granite Staters need to get to the other side of this crisis.”

“The American Rescue Plan includes critical resources to help hard-working families, and I am glad to announce this additional federal funding to New Hampshire to help young families access the supports that they need,” Senator Hassan said. “This federal funding will help connect more Granite State families with young children to at-home services to help these families stay healthy and safe. I will continue working to get resources to New Hampshire that will help families recover from this pandemic.”

“This important funding from the American Rescue Plan will help to ensure Granite State families have access to the life-saving maternal and newborn health services they need during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis,” said Representative Kuster. “I was proud to help secure these federal dollars to support vulnerable families in NH so they can keep food on their tables and ensure they have the resources to thrive. I will continue working to ensure no one is left behind as we recover and rebuild.”

“Regardless of circumstances, means, or zip code all of our children should have access to the physical, mental, and emotional support they need to grow up and realize their full potential,” said Representative Pappas. “These federal dollars will go a long way to ensure young families that have been hardest hit by this pandemic will still be able to provide their children with the building blocks they need to succeed. Although it will take years to reverse the impacts of this pandemic, I am glad to see the American Rescue Plan’s investments in the most vulnerable Granite Staters as our communities work to get back on their feet.”