For decades, Oakland Family Services’ early childhood home-visiting programs have been a lifeline for families navigating developmental delays, behavior difficulties and other parenting challenges. Fussy Baby, Early On and Parents as Teachers help caregivers strengthen their parenting skills and learn ways to support their children’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.

Over the past year, these programs answered a question they couldn’t have anticipated in early 2020: What happens when home-visiting programs can’t visit homes?

The answer is that home visits go digital and continue to give families the same high level of support, encouragement and knowledge that they can always expect from Oakland Family Services.

“Families need the support provided through home-visiting programs more now than ever,” said Toni Paramski, Early On lead evaluator/service coordinator. “We are able to safely support families as they navigate new issues concerning COVID-19, as well as coach parents as they navigate their child's development. … Virtual service also allows for families to have more frequent visits during their time in the programs.”

In 2020, Fussy Baby, Early On and Parents as Teachers completed a combined total of more than 3,025 home visits, most of which were virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stacey and Kevin had been working with the Fussy Baby program to help resolve their 3-year-old son’s sleeping issues for about six months when the pandemic hit. Their meetings with Infant and Family Specialist Pamela Coleman-Gay shifted online without missing a beat.

Thanks to support from Fussy Baby, Stacey’s son Nicholas is now sleeping in his own bed, and his social-emotional skills and behavior have improved, creating happier bonds between Nicholas and his parents.

“If I didn’t have the services at all, I would have felt completely lost and overwhelmed and our progress would have gone several steps back,” Stacey said. “Having the program virtual is easy. … Everything still operates the same way and all from the comfort of your home. When you are struggling with your child not sleeping, you do not care if services are in-person or virtual as long as you are getting the tools you can use to help your child sleep better.”

Kate had a similar experience with Early On during the pandemic. Her 2-year-old daughter Teagan had been enrolled in the program since she was 11-months-old, when Kate had became concerned because Teagan wasn’t crawling yet.

Together with Early On Service Coordinator Becca Spaeth, Kate had been working to strengthen Teagan’s core and help her reach motor skill milestones like crawling, walking, running and climbing. Teagan had almost completed the program when services moved online and had her last few visits via Zoom.

“Teagan opened up on the phone and talked, and Becca would tell her everything she wanted her to do,” Kate said. “It was pretty easy. We were working on fine and gross motor skills. She asked Teagan if she could make a bridge out of blocks. She also wanted to see if Teagan could climb the stairs without holding on. During the virtual visit, Becca could still see Teagan and give me pointers, so it worked out well.”

Despite the change in how home-visiting services were provided in 2020, Oakland Family Services saw huge success from these programs, including a 2% increase over 2019 in Early On completion rates, an increase of parent involvement and the quality of the child’s environment in 86% of Parents as Teachers families, and improvement in the main area of concern for 96% of Fussy Baby families.

“Some of the most essential components that make home-visiting services successful are knowledgeable staff, engaged parents and access to outside resources in the community,” Paramski said. “While providing virtual services, staff can attend virtual trainings and webinars to continue their education, and parents can be engaged with new flexibility that comes along with virtual service. Home visitors are also able to quickly share and connect families with resources in the community.”