Connecting Families, Building Futures: Learn About Home Visiting with Jumpstart and Birth to Five Illinois

April 8, 2026

Original coverage in the Ford County Chronicle by Lauren Wallace and Jill Duden (print-only).

Home visiting is a powerful, relationship-based support for families with young children, offering guidance, education and connection right where families are most comfortable — at home.

Trained professionals partner with parents and caregivers to support child development, answer questions and provide resources tailored to each family’s unique needs. Through regular visits, families can learn about everything from developmental milestones to positive parenting strategies, while also building confidence in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher.

At its core, home visiting plays a critical role in promoting early mental and behavioral health. The earliest years of a child’s life lay the foundation for emotional well-being, and strong, nurturing relationships are key. Home visitors help caregivers understand their child’s cues, support healthy attachment and navigate challenges like sleep, behavior or big emotions.

Just as importantly, they provide a trusted connection for parents — someone to listen, offer encouragement and reduce the isolation many families feel. Early support can prevent more serious challenges later, making home visiting a proactive and effective approach to family well-being.

The Jumpstart Program is a free home visiting program offered through Easterseals’ Joliet Region, serving families across Ford County. Services are provided by Lauren Wallace, who brings over a decade of experience supporting young families prenatal to age 3.

In rural communities, raising children often comes with added challenges — limited transportation, fewer child care options, reduced access to mental health support, and long distances to healthcare providers. These barriers can make it difficult for families to get the support they need.

Home visiting helps bridge that gap in a powerful, personal way. By meeting families in the comfort of their own homes, the program removes many of these obstacles and creates a space where parent support feels accessible, consistent and personalized. Together, they can monitor physical development, screen for concerns like postpartum depression, discuss developmental topics like discipline, potty training, sleep, nutrition and more. In places where support can feel out of reach, the Jumpstart Program brings it directly to your door. If you are interested in enrolling, you can find us at parentasexpert.com or call 815-690-1568.

Birth to Five Illinois’ Region 9 is working to strengthen early childhood and mental and behavioral health supports for young children and their families by building connections across the community. Through partnerships with local providers, schools and community organizations, Birth to Five Illinois helps families learn about available early learning resources, reduce stigma around mental health and access support early.

By listening to family and provider experiences and sharing information through outreach, events and collaborative efforts, Region 9 is helping ensure that every child has a strong foundation for learning and social and emotional well-being.

Learn more at www.birthtofiveil.com/region9.

Jill Duden is the Regional Council Manager for Birth to Five Illinois’ Region 9, while Lauren Wallace is the lead parent educator for Jumpstart in Ford County.