The Need

Tennessee currently ranks 36th in child well-being compared to all other states in the country, a sobering statistic that underscores the widespread challenges – such as poverty, abuse and neglect, and unsafe living environments - impacting thousands of children within the state. From 2023 to 2024, according to Kids Count data, Tennessee ranks worse in all categories: overall child-well-being, education, health, and family and community.

The Urgent Need to Support Our Children and Families 

The well-being of our children is a crucial indicator of the future health and prosperity of our communities. Yet, the current data reveals an alarming reality: too many children in our state are facing significant barriers to thriving. Low rankings in child well-being, economic stability, education, health, and family and community support are not just numbers—they represent a stark warning that we are failing to provide the foundational support every child needs. 

When nearly one in five children lives in poverty, it means thousands of families are struggling to meet basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare. This financial instability often leads to stress and uncertainty that can have long-lasting impacts on a child’s development and future success. 

When children don’t have access to quality early education, they start school already behind. This lack of preparation can hinder their ability to engage and succeed in the classroom, creating a cycle of frustration and disengagement that is difficult to break. Without a strong educational foundation, children are more likely to struggle academically and miss out on future opportunities. 

Similarly, when children lack access to healthcare and live in environments that don’t support their well-being, it’s not just their physical health that suffers—it’s their ability to participate fully in school and community activities. Health issues can lead to absenteeism, poor academic performance, and social isolation, all of which contribute to a reduced quality of life. 

Strong families and communities provide the support and stability children need to thrive. When families are strained by financial stress, single parenthood, or lack of community resources, children often bear the brunt. They may lack access to safe spaces, positive role models, and extracurricular activities that foster growth and development. Without these crucial supports, children are at greater risk of falling into cycles of adversity that can persist into adulthood. 

These are not isolated issues; they are interconnected challenges that require a holistic approach. By investing in our children and families now—through education, healthcare, and community support—we can build a stronger, healthier future for everyone. We must ask ourselves: what kind of future are we building if we don’t invest in the well-being of our youngest generation? 

How Home Visiting Services Address These Challenges 

Our evidence-based home visiting services are designed specifically to tackle these complex challenges head-on, providing targeted support where it’s needed most. By meeting families where they are—both physically and emotionally—we offer critical resources and guidance that help overcome the very barriers outlined above. 

Economic Stability: For families struggling with poverty and financial insecurity, our home visitors provide valuable support in accessing community resources, securing stable employment, and managing household finances. This proactive assistance helps alleviate immediate stressors, creating a more stable environment for children to thrive. 

Educational Support: To combat low proficiency rates and lack of school readiness, home visitors work with parents to create rich learning environments at home, emphasizing early literacy and developmental milestones. By equipping parents with the tools they need to support their child’s learning from birth, we help lay the groundwork for academic success long before children enter the classroom. 

Health and Well-being: Our services include connecting families to essential healthcare resources, providing guidance on nutrition and healthy lifestyles, and supporting maternal and child health. This comprehensive approach ensures that children receive the care they need to grow up healthy and strong, reducing the risk of chronic conditions that can hinder their future potential. 

Family and Community Support: For families lacking strong support networks, our home visiting services foster a sense of community and connection. Home visitors help parents build positive parenting practices, strengthen family relationships, and access support groups and community programs. This empowers families to create nurturing, stable homes that promote healthy child development. 

By addressing these issues at their root, our home visiting services are not just bridging gaps; they are building bridges to a brighter future for all children and families in our community. Investing in this critical support during the first five years of life has the potential to break the cycle of adversity and create long-term, positive change that benefits us all. 

How We Help

We're here at the start.

Our focus on the first five years of life is driven by the overwhelming evidence that these early years lay the foundation for a child’s future success. The benefits of home visiting extend beyond the immediate support for families—they ripple out into the community, creating a stronger, healthier, and more resilient society. 

  • The first five years of life are critical for brain development, with more than 80% of neural connections formed by age three and 90% by age five. Early experiences shape the brain's architecture, influencing all future learning, behavior, and health. A nurturing, stimulating environment with responsive caregiving is essential during this period. Negative experiences, such as chronic stress or neglect, can disrupt brain development and lead to long-term challenges in learning and behavior.

  • In Tennessee, 70% of fourth graders are not proficient in reading, emphasizing the urgent need for early literacy support. Early reading skills are pivotal for future academic success. Children who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Low literacy levels are also linked to poorer health outcomes and limited economic opportunities, making early interventions essential for changing these outcomes. 

  • To address educational disparities, our programs empower parents to support their children's learning from birth. We offer coaching on developmental milestones, fostering a love of learning, and building emotional intelligence. These foundational skills are crucial for school readiness and help children develop the confidence and resilience needed to succeed in school and beyond. By investing in early childhood education and parental support, we can close the achievement gap and prepare children for a brighter future.

  • Nurture the Next is the largest provider of evidence-based home visiting programs in Tennessee, partnering with families to support healthy physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Research shows that home visiting programs result in fewer preterm births, reduced emergency room visits for injuries, increased kindergarten readiness, and greater economic independence. These programs also reduce child maltreatment, helping to break the cycle of abuse and build healthier communities.

  • Nurture the Next is the largest provider of evidence-based home visiting programs in Tennessee, partnering with families to support healthy physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Research shows that home visiting programs result in fewer preterm births, reduced emergency room visits for injuries, increased kindergarten readiness, and greater economic independence. These programs also reduce child maltreatment, helping to break the cycle of abuse and build healthier communities.

We offer comprehensive home visiting services that address the unique needs of each family we serve, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment. 

  • Our home visiting programs provide families with individualized, in-home support, creating safe and nurturing environments for children. Our trained professionals work closely with parents, offering tailored guidance on everything from positive parenting techniques to child development milestones. This approach not only strengthens the parent-child bond but also lays a strong foundation for children’s future success by addressing challenges early and building family resilience.

  • We deliver practical, evidence-based parenting education directly to families, equipping them with essential skills to navigate the complexities of raising children. Our classes cover crucial topics such as effective communication, managing challenging behaviors, and fostering emotional well-being. By empowering parents with the tools they need, we help them build a supportive and loving home environment that promotes healthy development and lifelong learning.

  • Our Parent Leadership Tennessee Initiative brings together parents and practitioners from across the state to advocate for policies that strengthen families and communities. We provide training and support to parent leaders, enabling them to take an active role in shaping the programs and policies that impact their lives. This grassroots approach not only amplifies the voices of families but also fosters a community-driven movement for systemic change.

  • Advocacy is a cornerstone of our mission. We work to influence public policies that support families and promote the well-being of children. By advocating for investments in early childhood programs and family support services, we help create a more equitable society where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Our efforts aim to reduce reliance on reactive social services and build stronger, more resilient communities by addressing the root causes of adversity and promoting prevention.