The basics of how and when to implement virtual visits.
Yes, virtual visits are allowed when staff are unable to meet in person with families.
Specifically, HFA lists the following reasons sites may consider a virtual home visit:
All visits must be:
Also, when you choose virtual over in-person for any visit, document the reason why.
Typically, home visits occur in the home, last about an hour and the child is present. Extenuating circumstances may occur where visits take place outside the home, be of a slightly shorter duration than an hour, or occur with the child not present. These may be counted as a home visit only if the overall goals of a home visit and some of the focus areas (listed below) have been addressed.
It is important to note that a text conversation, even one of significant length, does not “count” as a home visit. We encourage sites to use texting along with other messaging platforms they find to be effective, as a way to maintain contact and relationship with families in between visits, however these connections are not considered a home visit.
Make sure the family knows your intention to make this a visit. Avoid unscheduled virtual visits when possible. Scheduling visits allows the FSS and the family to agree about a time when the parent is likely to be available for an extended virtual visit and it sets some expectations about what the visit will be about.
Hold the family in your mind ahead of the visit. Think about what you know about them, about the child’s developmental status, about their goals and needs, and what you’ve prioritized on their service plan. Be flexible and ready to follow the family’s lead while having a plan in mind as you prepare to start your visit.
Be aware of how you are showing up for the visit and your intentions each time you speak or interact with a family during a virtual visit. Consider the use of HFA’s Reflective Strategies® and other elements of HFA’s trauma-informed approach.
This can be challenging for staff working from their homes and may require home visitors to be strategic about where they are in their own homes during visits. While on the call or connecting through video, create space in the same way you would do in person: allow for quiet moments, notice feelings, and attune to the parent. Be an active listener: when your mind wanders, use Mindful Self-Regulation to bring yourself back into connection with the family.
Have CHEERS in mind throughout the virtual visit as you observe the interaction between parent and child (keep your virtual tip sheet for CHEERS handy). When the conversation veers away from the child, be intentional about bringing the parent-child relationship back into focus.
Things like sharing parenting materials and connecting families to needed community resources will feel familiar to the parents you work with. Whenever possible, complete regularly used screening tools such as ASQs and perinatal depression screenings with families during virtual visits.
Ask parents questions like, “How is the baby reacting to (something new happening)” or “It sounds like you are feeling isolated- how do your feelings show up in baby’s behaviors?” Invite parents to record videos throughout the week of their routines and play with the baby so they can share them with you! Using video to reflect together on parent strengths is a powerful way to promote attachment and nurturing parenting.
Connections with families that don’t fit the definition of a home visit are absolutely valuable. Families in communities everywhere are facing stressors. HFA sites should make every effort to connect regularly with families, using whatever modalities are available to the families (including phone calls, texts, and even notes and letters). Dr. Bruce Perry has shared that even 3 minutes of connection can reduce stress and regulate us.
The predictability and comfort that a safe and healthy relationship with a Family Support Specialist offers to parents is critical. HFA encourages sites to be creative and flexible in serving families with young children, and we are grateful for the efforts of staff in sites in communities everywhere for the difference they are making in the lives of parents and young children.
