The Georgia Home Visiting Institute restarts in person

dpollock on September 12, 2023

Woman at a podium talking to a large audience.
Woman standing near a projection screen talking to a small group.
Josephine Mhende, a Research Associate in the School of Public Health at Georgia State University, leads a breakout session on the importance of understanding and respecting the cultural background of families that home visitors serve.

The thirteenth annual Georgia Home Visiting Institute (HVI) was held August 29 in Peachtree City after meeting virtually the last three years due to the pandemic. HVI provides training for Georgia home visitors and staff to develop and enhance core competencies critical to their work.  Two hundred and forty-eight participants came from around the state learn strategies to improve the quality and effectiveness of home visiting services, with an emphasis on supporting healthy infant/toddler development and parent-child relationships and developing skills necessary for establishing, building, and enhancing relationships with families.   

HVI is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Public Health in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Public Health and CFR’s Home Visiting Technical Assistance and Quality Team (TAQ) served as the HVI planning committee.   

This year’s theme, Welcome Home, was significant for many reasons. Many home visitors began to serve children and families in their homes after a long period of social and physical distancing.  In addition, many staff returned to Peachtree City, where the Home Visiting Institute has been held for many years.  And finally, for those who are experiencing the Institute for the first time, they had the opportunity to gather for a day of fellowship, fun and learning which simply felt like home.  

Woman at a podium talking to a large audience.
Michelle Lanier, CFR’s TAQ Team Director, welcomes attendees and lays out the plan for the day.
Members of CFR's TAQ Team who were at the event pose for a group picture. From the left, Nicole Copeland (First Steps Georgia State Lead); Jessica Gurnow (Parents as Teachers State Lead); Michelle Lanier (TAQ Team Director); Tracey Daniels Hickey (GEOHVIS State Lead); Paige Ferrell (Healthy Families Georgia State Lead).