Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony on the importance of a federal investment in early childhood home visitation.

However as currently drafted, the Early Support for Families Act of 2009 (H.R. 2667) does not specifically mention nor speak to the issue of substance abuse.

we would like to thank Chairman McDermott, Representative Danny Davis and Representative Todd Platts for their leadership on this issue

Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support...

One should decide what good public policy is and once you have decided what good public policy is, then you decide how you are going to pay for it.

I would like to recognize Chairman McDermott and Representatives Davis (IL), and Platts (PA) for their continued leadership on this very important strategy.

We thank Chairman McDermott for your leadership in this critical area through your sponsorship of the Early Support for Families Act of 2009 (H.R. 2667)

All of us are interested in making sure every child gets a good start in life.

I urge every member of this committee to support an investment in evidence-based early childhood home visitation services and to move quickly and thoughtfully on legislation authorizing new federal funding.

The President's decision to invest in home visitation for newborns and the Congress' willingness to act on this decision demonstrates a commitment to an evidence-informed public policy.

Every Child Succeeds (ECS) is a voluntary home visiting program whose aim is to improve the health and development of at-risk children in the Cincinnati region.

I would actually target first-time and young mothers. That is the group that is most at risk.