By KRISTINE COBLENTZ
Founder First Born Program

As the founder and former Program Manager of the First Born Program of Los Alamos County, I feel compelled to respond to negative print and radio ads attacking home visiting programs. Recent ads depicting government monitors and mandatory home visits are pure distortion and demonstrate either a frightening ignorance of (or a deliberate choice to ignore) the proven benefits of early childhood development programs.

Across our state, home visitation is supported by Republicans and Democrats alike because it works. The science is clear that investment in the lives of pregnant moms and newborns at birth enhances the lives of individual children today and for years to come. This year Gov. Susana Martinez signed the state budget that included a $27 million – or 14 percent increase – in early childhood funding. This budget allotted more money for home visiting and increased funding for First Born Programs around the state.

Former Rep. Jeannette Wallace was a strong supporter and early adopter of the LANL Foundation’s initiative to bring the First Born Program to Northern New Mexico. Stephanie Garcia Richard is continuing this support of home visiting by advocating for continued statewide funding.

What does home visiting REALLY look like? Families who are pregnant, who have a newborn, or are welcoming a child through adoption are offered weekly visits from a trained professional who offers support, encouragement, connection to community resources, and a wealth of evidence-based information on a range of topics relevant to new parents. Program participation is free and voluntary. Home visiting programs have numerous benefits including reduction of postpartum depression, higher rates of breastfeeding, an increase in parents’ feelings of competence and connection to their child, an increase in a family’s ability to access resources and feel connected to their greater community, and fewer accidents and unintended injuries in the home.

Universal access means the program is open to all regardless of educational or socio-economic or any other status. We recognize that all families are vulnerable at the birth or adoption of a child and could benefit from the support and resources we offer. Depicting home visiting as a mandatory government program is a falsehood – local programs around the state are run by non-profits, health clinics, and community hospitals.

The First Born Program recognizes the power and potential of the first three years of life. We know that children’s success in school and beyond is built upon the relationships they form and the experiences they have during this time period. A healthy, resilient baby nested within a bonded, caring family is the foundation for building healthy, strong communities now and for the long term.

When families feel connected to their communities, they put down roots and give back in a multitude of ways. Home visiting programs are a wise investment both socially and economically. Legislation to support statewide home visiting in New Mexico has benefited from strong bi-partisan support. We are fortunate that the State of New Mexico as well as numerous national foundations and private donors have chosen to invest in these efforts.

Raising children is indeed a personal responsibility. This is why home visitors spend time with families identifying their goals, building on their strengths, recognizing their challenges, and working together toward solutions using the extensive educational materials and community resources available to us. In this way, home visiting is both curriculum-based and relationship-centered. In this modern time, when young families are often found transplanted in a community without natural systems of support, why would anyone not want to support such a valuable resource? Why would we want to tear down such a noble effort?

The health and wellness of newborns and their families should never be used as a political football.

More information on the First Born Program which was developed in Silver City by Vicki Johnson and has been serving New Mexicans since 1997 can be found at www.firstbornprogram.org. More information on New Mexico’s home visiting initiative can be found at https:////cyfd.org/home-visiting.

Thank you for your interest.