LAKE CHARLES – The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (LPIC) and Geaux Far Louisiana hosted a Home Visiting Summit on Wednesday, August 5, bringing together health care providers, policymakers, and community organizations to prepare for the implementation of Louisiana’s new home visiting law, Act 190 (HB 382).
The summit was designed to help health care organizations prepare for the law’s implementation on January 1, 2027, when voluntary home visiting services become more widely available to families with newborns. Participants learned about the legislation, implementation strategies, and evidence-based home-visiting models that support healthy child development and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
The event featured presentations on the new law, expert panel discussions, networking opportunities, and access to a digital repository of resources for attendees and organizations as they prepared to expand home visiting services across Louisiana.
“Louisiana took an important step toward ensuring every family had access to the support they needed during the critical early months of a child’s life,” said Libbie Sonnier, chief executive officer of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children. “This summit brought together the partners needed to turn that vision into reality. By connecting health care providers, policymakers, and community organizations, we strengthened the collaboration necessary to build a coordinated system that helps families thrive from day one.”
Attendees heard from policy experts and practitioners who shared implementation guidance, funding opportunities, and best practices for integrating home visiting into Louisiana’s maternal and infant health system.
“Successfully implementing this new statewide initiative required collaboration across every part of the health care system,” said Susan East Nelson. “Our goal was for organizations to leave the summit with practical tools, stronger partnerships, and the confidence to connect families with high-quality home visiting services when the law takes effect.”
The Home Visiting Summit was held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Family and Youth Counseling Delta Downs Conference Room in Lake Charles.
About the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children
Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that Louisiana’s young children, from birth to age four, are best prepared for success in school and in life. The Policy Institute develops policy proposals informed by data, research, best practices, and the experiences of other states to improve the outcomes of Louisiana’s youngest citizens, and further provides educational and outreach activities based on recommended policy solutions. The organization works to ensure children are safe, healthy, and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.policyinstitutela.org and follow the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Geaux Far Louisiana
Geaux Far Louisiana, an initiative of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, is a statewide movement dedicated to ensuring every child has access to high-quality early childhood education, health, and development services.Grounded in racial equity and community collaboration, Geaux Far Louisiana is committed to building a seamless, equitable system that supports families and prepares Louisiana’s children for a bright future.