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Home visiting for families without a home: findings from a qualitative study

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  • Dworsky, Amy L.
  • Carreon, Erin D.
  • McDaniel, Beth E.
  • Griffin, Amanda M.

Abstract

Although families with young children experiencing homelessness could potentially benefit from early childhood home visiting services, those families have traditionally been underserved by home visiting programs. This qualitative descriptive study is part of a large formative evaluation of the Home Visiting for Homeless Families project, which aims to remove barriers to delivering home visiting services to families experiencing homelessness and make home visiting more responsive to those families’ needs. We interviewed 17 home visitors, 12 home visitor supervisors, and 14 mothers who received home visiting services. Although home visitors did modify some aspects of service delivery, they did not take full advantage of the project’s flexibilities and continued to face challenges in supporting families experiencing homelessness. Home visitors found it difficult to focus on doing the job they were trained to do when families were struggling to meet their basic needs and expressed a desire for training that would equip them to help families with their housing. Mothers deeply appreciated the emotional, informational, and instrumental support their home visitors provided, as well as the ways their home visitors helped them become better parents. Our findings suggest that to fully benefit from home visiting services, families with young children need stable housing and coordinated care.

Suggested Citation

  • Dworsky, Amy L. & Carreon, Erin D. & McDaniel, Beth E. & Griffin, Amanda M., 2025. "Home visiting for families without a home: findings from a qualitative study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:178:y:2025:i:c:s0190740925004268
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108543
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniel Gubits & Marybeth Shinn & Michelle Wood & Scott R. Brown & Samuel R. Dastrup & Stephen H. Bell, 2018. "What Interventions Work Best for Families Who Experience Homelessness? Impact Estimates from the Family Options Study," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 37(4), pages 835-866, September.
    2. Mersky, Joshua P. & Janczewski, Colleen E. & Plummer Lee, ChienTi & Yasin, Tajammal, 2022. "Impact of home visiting programs on parenting stress in low-income women: Findings from a community-based trial at an urban health department," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    3. Perlman, Staci & Fantuzzo, John, 2010. "Timing and influence of early experiences of child maltreatment and homelessness on children's educational well-being," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 874-883, June.
    4. repec:mpr:mprres:7934 is not listed on IDEAS
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