New grant expands Guam families' access to home visiting service program
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Guam has been awarded a $1.6 million federal grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ program that seeks to boost support for young families in low-income communities.
“The $1.6 million funding will expand access to home visiting services that improve maternal and child health for Guam residents,” said Tiana Ware, spokesperson for the Health Resources and Services Administration.
The new grant is drawn from the health agency’s $525 million allotment for the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program, which targets U.S. communities where services are most needed, including rural areas at greater risk of poor health outcomes.
Guam is among the 56 jurisdictions receiving the grant.
The awards include both base and matching grants. Base grants provide foundational support for evidence-based home visiting programs in every eligible state and jurisdiction, while matching grants help recipients expand services and reach more eligible families.
This year’s funding level represents the largest federal investment in the program’s history, the health agency said.
The awards will expand access to evidence-based home visiting services that improve maternal and child health, promote healthy child development and connect families with the support they need during pregnancy and early childhood.
“Supporting parents early gives children a stronger start,” said Tom Engels, HRSA administrator. “Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher and by giving them the tools and support they need, we help create a strong foundation for children to thrive.”
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Under the program, trained home visitors meet regularly with expecting mothers and families with young children.
“Decades of gold-standard scientific research show that voluntary home visits during pregnancy and early childhood can help prevent chronic disease and child abuse and neglect, promote school readiness, and boost families’ economic self-sufficiency,” the health office said.
As home visiting services expand, a strong and well-supported workforce is essential to meeting the needs of more families. To meet this goal, HRSA released a National Strategy for the Home Visiting Workforce in April 2026, which provides a roadmap to recruiting and retaining a skilled and supported home visiting workforce.
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