Policy Paper

Domestic Violence and Home Visiting: Federal Policy Recommendations

As home visitation programs are expanded, there is an unprecedented opportunity to prevent domestic violence among vulnerable young families and to effectively intervene when domestic violence is already occurring. This is essential both as a means of preventing child abuse and neglect and improving maternal and child health outcomes. By integrating domestic violence into all aspects of these programs, the investment of federal dollars will go even further in achieving home visitation’s intended outcomes and fulfilling its promise for millions of American families. As policy makers look to scale up these programs, we ask them to consider the following recommendations.