Thursday, September 21, 2023
9/21/2023
Project Title: Arizona MIECHV Program Applicant Name: AZ Department of Health Services Address: 150 N 18thAve, Phoenix, AZ, 85007 Program Funds Requested: $10,779,975 Project Director: Jessica Stewart-Gonzalez Phone: 602-568-3985 Email: jessica.stewart-gonzalez@azdhs.gov Web sites: www.strongfamiliesaz.com; https://azdhs.gov/prevention/womens-childrens-health/childrens-health Purpose: Arizona aims to implement voluntary evidence-based and evidence-informed home visiting programs, delivered by trained educators, provided to pregnant persons and families with young children residing in at-risk communities with support and information to improve the health and wellbeing of families and communities. Implementing evidence-based and evidence-informed home visiting programs in at-risk communities improve maternal and child health outcomes for families and the communities in which they live. Goals and Objectives: a) Support voluntary evidence-based and promising approach home visiting programs that are equitable and accessible to eligible families resulting in positive outcomes in at least 4 of the 6 benchmark areas by implementing home visiting services in at-risk communities with an overall caseload capacity of 1,668 and evaluate the promising approach through an institute of higher education. b) Improve coordination and information pertaining to the Arizona Home Visiting System to maximize funding, support, services and resources for home visitors, supervisors and eligible families by convening the Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Alliance members; ensuring members are representative and inclusive of tribal communities; using technology to provide information and training to home visitors, supervisors and families; coordinate early childhood efforts and outcomes; maintain the statewide data management system; and strengthen community capacity to increase health equity. c) Ensure program implementation oversight to meet the grant goals, objectives, budget and activities by maximizing human and financial resources; utilize tools to appropriately and accurately track activities and timelines; participate in meetings, conferences and seek technical assistance to meet the grant requirements and improve the health and wellbeing of Arizona’s families. Methodology: To achieve the goals of this grant, Arizona will: implement voluntary evidence-based home visiting programs and a promising approach model in at-risk communities with effective oversight and guidance; collect, compile and report data to ensure the fidelity of the model being used and progress toward benchmarks; and coordinate services across the early childhood system. The ADHS contracts with state agencies, county health departments, tribal nations and non-profit organizations to implement evidence-based home visiting models including Family Spirit, Healthy Families, Parents as Teachers, Nurse Family Partnership and SafeCare Augmented with a current and proposed caseload capacity of 1,278. The ADHS contracts with county health departments and tribal nations to implement Health Start as a promising approach with a current and proposed caseload capacity of 390. The total caseload capacity for MIECHV funded services is 1,668. Programs are implemented in identified at-risk communities as outlined in the 2020 MIECHV Needs Assessment and include 14 urban communities, 11 rural communities and 4 tribal communities. Local Implementing Agencies complete an annual community assessment detailing available linkages and referral networks to other community resources and support to support eligible families served by the project.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
