DAY OF ACTION: ON TUESDAY AUGUST 4 YOU CAN HELP VULNERABLE FAMILIES SURVIVE

We are reaching out to you with urgency. Over the weekend although congressional negotiations on the Covid-19 economic stimulus package continued, they appear far from complete. As Congress makes decisions about the new round of stimulus funding, please join HIPPY USA and other home visiting organizations across the nation for a Coordinated Day of Action on Tuesday, August 4th. This gives us more time to let Congress know about the importance of $100 million in emergency funding for Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV), a federal program that supports the diverse work of home visiting. Tomorrow, please show your support with a phone call, tweet, post, and/or an email to legislators! If you would like to participate in the day of action, below are 3 easy ways. Please feel free to use our messages or create your own.

YOU CAN CALL

Call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask them to connect you directly with your member of Member of Congress.

When connected, tell your Congressperson or his/her staff: Let them know that you are a constituent.

• Please prioritize a one-time $100 million appropriation for MIECHV home visitors to reach families in need. These funds can be used for home visitors' training as well as tangible needs for families that may be out of reach (technology, formula, diapers, etc.)

• Allow virtual visits to count as home visits through the end of the calendar year.

• Thank you for your commitment to children and families!

Hang up and dial to reach your other Congressperson.

YOU CAN EMAIL

Contact your senator via email using the language below. Please use this link to find your two senators’ email and phone contact information and this link for your House member’s contact information.

Dear Senator/Representative: (NAME)

Thank you for your continued leadership to address the needs of children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The MIECHV program has widespread bipartisan support. I respectfully request that in final negotiations the stimulus bill:

• Prioritizes a one-time $100 million appropriation for the MIECHV program. These funds can be used to train home visitors to deliver services through technology that enables home visits from a distance;

• Allow virtual visits to be considered home visits through the end of the calendar year to safely preserve valuable relationships;and

• Maintain all funding for and staffing levels of MIECHV programs regardless of potential temporary reductions in enrollment to preserve the existing home visiting infrastructure.

OR YOU CAN USE SOCIAL MEDIA

A list of Congressional Twitter handles can be found here

Tweet your legislators. Below are some sample Tweets:

HIPPY USA asks that you Invest in our children’s future, increase home visiting #MIECHV funding by $100M. HIPPY USA asks Congress: unleash the power of #homevisiting to help meet the needs of vulnerable children and families isolated at home due to #covid19! Give the flexibility and resources for remote connections, emergency supplies. HPPY USA Home visitors are a crucial part of the #covid19 safety net for young children and families. With additional flexibility and resources for virtual home visits and emergency supplies they could do even more. #homevisitingworks

Families need support more than ever to get through #covid19. Congress should provide $100 million 2 help home visitors stay connected to families with young children remotely and deliver emergency supplies #homevisitingworks #homevisiting HIPPY Home visitors are working through the pandemic to support families with young children through #covid19. They need flexibility and resources to stay connected remotely and deliver emergency supplies. @hvworks A HIPPY#homevisitor can be a lifeline for families through #covid19. Congress should provide $100 million to meet their emergency needs. #homevisitingworks @hvworks

Thank you for your time and for your commitment to children and families!