As technology continues to evolve across nearly every sector, family support and home visiting programs are increasingly navigating questions about how tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) may impact practice, documentation, communication, and service delivery. While these technologies may offer opportunities to reduce administrative burden and improve access to resources, they also raise important considerations related to ethics, privacy, equity, and relationship-based practice.
In this month’s feature article, we explore some of the emerging conversations surrounding the use of technology and AI in home visiting and family support settings. Rather than offering definitive answers, the article encourages thoughtful reflection on how programs can approach these tools responsibly while keeping supportive human relationships at the center of the work.
As always, thank you for the work you do each day to support children, families, and communities.
Be well, The Family Support Team at Center for Schools and Communities
The Use of Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Home Visiting
Family support professionals often spend full days conducting home visits and additional hours completing documentation, organizing referrals, and connecting families to resources. Many professionals may wonder: Is there a way to use technology to reduce administrative burden and allow more time to focus on families? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a tool used across many professions and is increasingly becoming part of everyday life. From scheduling applications to translation tools, AI is beginning to emerge within home visiting and family support programs.
These tools can assist with tasks such as documentation, translation, scheduling, resource coordination, and communication. Family support professionals may or may not yet be aware of the importance of using this technology thoughtfully and responsibly. There are important considerations related to privacy, consent, cultural responsiveness, and equitable access. Ongoing conversations continue around how AI should and should not be used within family support services. What remains most important is recognizing that technology cannot replace supportive human relationships.
AI may be used in many ways within the home visiting field. Programs should consider developing policies and procedures that support the responsible and ethical use of AI and other technologies. Some examples might include:
Drafting visit reports
Translating materials
Creating appointment reminders
Organizing referrals
Identifying community resources
Reducing paperwork
When working with multilingual families, home visitors may use AI-supported translation tools to help reduce language barriers and improve communication and access to resources. Other technologies are being developed to reduce administrative demands, allowing home visitors to spend more time focused on family engagement. Emerging technologies may also support workforce sustainability efforts by helping reduce staff burnout and improve retention within the field.
As AI continues to evolve across the family support landscape, new tools and approaches will likely continue to emerge. At the same time, the foundation of the work—building trust, connection, and supportive relationships with families—remains unchanged. For more information on AI in the family support workforce, review the following resources:
Family Support and Early Intervention: Crossover, Connection, and Collaboration Among the Systems
Tuesday, June 30 | 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Children who are identified for Early Intervention (EI) services may first come to the attention of EI programs through other systems. Family Support professionals such as home visitors who conduct developmental screenings are among those who work with families to make referrals for EI services. This presentation will provide information about the EI system and connections among EI providers and other family support and health care providers. Participants will discuss their roles and responsibilities for cooperative work among systems providers and gain an understanding of the advocacy efforts taking place to increase access to EI services.
Parents as Teachers National Center (PATNC) supports increased father engagement in home visiting programs through several strategies. The organization collaborates with partners such as the Department of Health and Human Services to promote grant opportunities for community organizations aiming to strengthen participation among fathers and male caregivers.
PATNC also provides the Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Toolkit (PDF) that is designed to help early childhood professionals recruit and retain fathers. This resource includes guidance on addressing challenging topics, assessing an agency’s level of father-friendliness, and better understanding fathers’ strengths and perspectives. Overall, the curriculum offers practical advice to support fathers and male caregivers while strengthening the well-being of the entire family.
Pennsylvania Strengthening Families Conference 2026: Uniting to Strengthen Supports for Families and Communities
This year’s Pennsylvania Strengthening Families Conference centered on the theme “Uniting to Strengthen Supports for Families and Communities,” bringing together leaders and partners committed to building stronger, more connected systems of care. Across sessions and workshops, participants focused on strengthening family engagement, improving cross-system collaboration, and advancing prevention-focused practices that support children and families before challenges escalate.
Presenters highlighted the importance of centering lived expertise, building trust with families, and fostering meaningful partnerships between programs and communities. Sessions also addressed workforce wellness, reflective supervision, and strategies for sustaining a resilient service system. Additional discussions explored how policy and practice can better align to create more seamless and accessible supports across early childhood and family service systems.
Throughout the conference, interactive learning and networking opportunities reinforced the power of connection, both within and across systems. Participants left with practical tools, shared insights, and a renewed commitment to collaboration in support of stronger families and communities.
KEYSTONE SCHOLARS jumpstarts educational savings by providing a $100 scholarship account for every child born to a Pennsylvania family on or after January 1, 2019.
Keystone Scholars sets the expectation at birth for every child in Pennsylvania to pursue some form of post-high school education, including community college, technical training, and apprenticeships, and it encourages families to start saving on their own early in the child’s life.
Parents can claim their child’s account at pa529.com/keystone. Only three pieces of information are needed:
Child’s date of birth.
State File Number from child’s Pennsylvania birth certificate.
Zip code used to file for child’s birth certificate.
Once claimed, parents may open a companion PA 529 account to start their own savings! Link the PA 529 and Keystone Scholars accounts together to watch the savings grow!
