Addressing the Community Resource and Social Service Needs of Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives of Home Visiting Staff and Clients in Georgia

Introduction Home visiting programs provide support services to families and their children to promote positive health outcomes. This study sought to describe strategies employed by home visiting programs during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic to address the community resource and social service needs of home visiting clients in Georgia. Methods We conducted a mixed methods study between December 2020 and April 2021 using online surveys and key informant interviews of home visiting staff and clients from 21 program sites. Structured content analysis was conducted of the triangulated data to elicit thematic findings. Results Due to the pandemic-induced economic conditions, clients expressed increased demand for housing, employment, and childcare support services. Staff experienced challenges with client referrals to these services because of interruptions in social service availability and transitions to virtual services. In response to these challenges, home visiting programs strengthened existing community partnerships and created new collaborations with local agencies to fill any gaps in services. Discussion Home visiting programs in Georgia provided critical linkages to community resources for families during the early phase of the pandemic. Preserving this essential home visiting service in future national emergencies will require improved coordination of community resources and social services. Significance Home visiting programs have long demonstrated positive outcomes and benefits to families across the United States. The connection to resources has been described as an important component of home visiting services. Home visiting staff were successful in addressing the increased resource needs of clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were successful because of the variety of strategies they implemented such as collaborations with service providers and local agencies. This emphasizes the significance of resource coordination as a home visiting service in supporting families especially during national public health emergencies.