30,950
Home Visits in 2024-25
Our Mission
Of the many factors that shape student outcomes, authentic family engagement remains a critical piece of the puzzle. But school systems struggle to do it well, and mindsets toward family-school engagement reflect persistent and harmful biases. Our work is to equip educators with the training needed to develop trusting relationships with families in service of student success and school improvement.
The PTHV Model
While the model is adapted in a wide variety of setting across the United States and Canada, we all follow the following five non-negotiable core practices.
- Visits are voluntary.
- Educators are trained and compensated.
- We share hopes and dreams.
- We do not target students.
- Educators go in pairs and reflect.
Training
Through uniquely tailored sessions, teachers emerge with increased understanding of families and respect for their role as children’s first educators. They learn how to build trust with families, and they increase their capacity to better engage students in the classroom. PTHV trainings are interactive, dynamic, and essential to the start of an evidence-based home visit practice.
Growing & Scaling
From Eight Schools to an International Network
Parent Teacher Home Visits has grown from a local effort at eight schools in Sacramento in 1998 to a national network of hundreds of school sites in 32 states; Washington, D.C.; and Saskatchewan. And we continue to grow.
Engage
Our Training Options
Home Visit Training Options
Training Options
We offer a number of professional learning opportunities to introduce, deepen, and refresh your school's home visit practice.
Implementation Support
Put PTHV into Practice
Learn more about our coaching, consultation and professional learning for leaders looking to launch, grow, and sustain a thriving home visit practice.
Accredited Partnerships
Training of Trainers
Get in touch to learn more about eligibility requirements and details about how to start a local PTHV training team.
Our Why
A Video Introduction to Parent Teacher Home Visits
Frequently Asked Questions
About Home Visits
What's involved in training?
We offer multiple types of sessions to suit districts’ needs. Each covers the model we use, the research that supports it, a step-by-step guide to implementing an effective home visit practice, and more.
How do you know it works?
We’ve conducted rigorous evaluations of our model with world-class research institutions. Each has demonstrated the effectiveness of the PTHV Model. See our research page for more.
Is it safe?
Remember home visits are always voluntary. Teachers go in pairs, and visits are set up in advance. We delve more deeply into safety and other potential barriers in our introductory training session.
Testimonials
What Parents and Teachers Say about Home Visits
“
It really is a transcendent experience, both for the teacher and family. We are in a relationship-building profession, and I have never come across a better way in my 30 years of teaching to build those relationships.
- Chris Nixon
“
In every instance, both the adults and the students have expressed how grateful they were to have this outreach from the school. Many have also shared that they feel much more comfortable with coming to school after meeting with us.
- Karen Platt
“
After such a difficult year, having the opportunity to connect with families was what was missing for me all year. Talking with parents about what their hopes and dreams are for their child and students sharing what they hope for themselves was incredibly inspiring for me and reminded me why I love doing what I do.
- Ely Corona
“
PTHVP honors the commitment, love, and support that educators, families, and community members have for the young people in our public schools. There are few organizations that make such a difference in the lives of students, their families, and educators.
- Andrea Prejean
“
It has been eye-opening to get to know students in a way that I may not ever be able to during the school year. Talking to and learning about students and their families will help me connect with students in a way I may not have been able to without these Bridge Visits.
- Tina Nixon
“
I did not know how much I truly needed to be more a part of the Bridge Visit program than I was. I just keep preaching to others how much of a difference it has made in my own work life and perspective let alone the kids and families. I have all of my fingers and toes crossed that everyone sees the value of Bridge Visits and continues.
- Jennifer Calton
“
Virtual Bridge Visits gave us the opportunity to chat with my daughter's teachers and get to know them a little better. Being in a virtual world, you're lost, so I had no connection with her teachers... I feel like having the visit and the follow-up visit are beneficial so that everyone is on the same page to help her learn.
- Cold Springs Elementary Parent
“
Home visits are something you get to do, not have to do.
- Gretchen Viglione
“
In every single instance, both the adults and the students have expressed how grateful they were to have this outreach from the school. Many have also shared that both they and their children feel much more comfortable with coming to school after meeting with us.
Meredith Howe
“
Home visits saved my life as a teacher.
Don Diehl
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From the Blog
News & Articles
Events
Learn & Network With Us
18
Sep
2025
Rooted in Relationships: How Home Visits Transform Schools
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Virtual
28
May
2025
06
May
2025
PTHV at MAEC’s CONNECTIONS Family Engagement Event
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
17
Sep
2024
Breaking the Attendance Barrier: The Power of Parent Teacher Home Visits
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
16
Sep
2024
National PTHV Week 2024
September 16, 2024 @
12:00 PM
, more
Our Funders
PTHV advances student success and school improvement by leveraging relationships, research, and a national network of partners to advance evidence-based practices in relational home visits within a comprehensive family engagement strategy.
Explore
Support
PTHV is a nonprofit grassroots network that must raise its operating budget every year. Like the local home visit projects we help, our network is sustained by collaboration.
