Home-Visiting Program - University of Nevada Reno (Washoe)

Home Visiting is a program option within the Child and Family Research Center (CFRC) housed within the University of Nevada, Reno. Home Visiting includes a weekly 90-minute visit by a certified Parent Educator. This FREE parenting support program is offered to families in the Reno-Sparks community who have a child under the age of 5 or are pregnant.  Home visits foster parent-child relationships through activities, development and health screenings, discussions of topics regarding child development, parenting skills, and family well-being. Prenatal visits also include learning about child development and dedicate time on building attachment with the unborn child, preparing for baby’s arrival, and focusing on maternal mental health.

Play is the most important aspect of home visiting. Through developmentally appropriate play, we observe children's skills, challenge them, and teach them new skills that lead to school readiness. Every visit is structured to implement the Parents as Teachers curriculum, and Play is also a method used to guide the parent or caregiver as the child’s first and best teacher. Play can be crafts, games, exploring toys and items found in the home or brought by the home visitor, and the exploration of new environments like their backyard or neighborhood park. If your home is not the family’s first choice for a visit, we can also do the visit at a park, library, our office, and other community options.

Additionally, home visiting families have 3 monthly socialization opportunities to meet other babies and parents. The 3 monthly P.L.A.Y. Groups include activities, snacks and transportation if needed. Throughout the year, families in the CFRC come together for community-based events such as visits to the Pumpkin Patch, Discovery Museum, Picnics, Art Town events and more!

NOTE: This program has limited funding and space - please reach out to the program for availability.