Last month, New Jersey advocates for home visiting programs, including two parents, traveled to Washington, D.C. for the National Home Visiting Summit. This event was aimed at advancing the field of home visiting and featured various stakeholders, including Faryal Najeeb and Nicole Gendin, who shared personal experiences with the New Jersey Congressional Delegation.
Faryal Najeeb, an advocate inspired by her experiences with the Nurse-Family Partnership program, is a member of the ACNJ Parent Leadership Council (PLC). She emphasized the impact personal stories have on influencing policymakers. "I have shared my story many times over the years because I realize that personal experiences and ‘putting a face’ to where the funds are going, make a difference," she said. Najeeb noticed a shift in focus during discussions with congressional representatives, centering not only on home visiting programs but also on larger social issues.
Najeeb gained new insights at the summit, particularly regarding indigenous home visiting programs and financial challenges other states encounter. Although the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program isn't due for reauthorization until 2027, she stressed the importance of keeping representatives updated on the program's progress. "I knew we weren’t able to reach many families here in NJ, but the numbers are far direr in some of the other states," she noted.
Nicole Gendin's advocacy journey started with her experiences with the Family Connects NJ initiative. Recalling the support she received, Gendin stated, "I came home with a baby and had absolutely no idea what to do. No one tells you what to do. There’s no manual." Encouraged to join the advocacy effort in D.C., she was surprised by the responsiveness of legislators, especially when speaking to a representative from her district.
Both Najeeb and Gendin left the summit with renewed understanding regarding the importance and impact of home visiting programs. Nicole Gendin reflected on her experience, saying, "Hearing other parents’ stories was really touching. These are real people with real problems, and there are ways to be proactive and address these challenges before they escalate."
Najeeb and Gendin, among others, underscore the importance of continued advocacy to ensure funding and support for home visiting programs. Gendin expressed her newfound interest in advocacy, sharing, "It was something I never thought about until I had this experience. But now, knowing that we have a voice and can speak to our legislators about real issues, I would be open to learning more and seeing what I could do to help."
For those interested in advocacy or learning more about the Parent Leadership Council, inquiries can be directed to acnjplc@acnj.org.
