Tuesday, November 28, 2023
11/28/2023
Arkansas’s Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program Arkansas Department of Health, 4815 W Markham St, Slot 16, Little Rock, AR 72205 Janice Black, Home Visiting Section Chief, 501-661-2086, janice.black@arkansas.gov www.healthy.arkansas.gov Grant Program Funds Requested: $7,498,042.00 ANNOTATION: Arkansas's MIECHV program is a public-private collaborative effort founded on the belief that children in Arkansas deserve to have the support they need to reach their fullest potential. PROBLEM: Arkansas ranks near the bottom of all states in indicators related to maternal and child health. Research shows that evidence-based home visiting (HV) programs are effective at addressing the health and well-being needs of at-risk families, particularly in rural areas. PURPOSE: The purpose of Arkansas’s MIECHV program is to improve outcomes for at-risk children and families through four evidence-based models and one promising approach. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: GOAL 1: Maintain funding for existing LIAs and HV models. OBJ. 1A: Require all models to maintain an annual average capacity level of 85%. OBJ. 1B: Strengthen Arkansas’s network of HV programs and their integration into early childhood programs through regular meetings. OBJ. 1C: Maintain existing collaborative partnerships with stakeholders and build one new collaborative partnership using coordinated intake practices or advisory boards by September 29, 2024. GOAL 2: Prepare the HV workforce by developing and delivering training to HV staff. OBJ. 2A: Develop two new online trainings and update one existing online training based on needs assessments, core competencies, and evaluation data by September 29, 2024. OBJ. 2B: Develop two new instructor-led trainings and update two existing trainings by September 29, 2024. OBJ. 2C: Deliver at least 24 instructor-led trainings to home visitors, supervisors, and coordinators regardless of funding by September 29, 2024. OBJ. 2D: Develop training modules as virtual, virtual-blended, or instructor-led based on new HRSA requirements. GOAL 3: Contribute to the HV knowledge base through coordinated intake, CQI initiatives, and evaluation activities. OBJ. 3A: Use benchmark and other data to support CQI projects at the state and local levels. OBJ. 3B: Disseminate findings in peer-reviewed publications and conferences as feasible. OBJ. 3C: Participate in pilot research overseen by national home visiting models as requested and when appropriate. OBJ. 3D: Participate in an advisory capacity in national HV associations and councils. OBJ. 3E: Conduct rigorous research of the state’s promising approach, FBBH. Methodology HV Model EB Model 2022 Proposed Annual Caseload FY 2022 Proposed Caseload Current Caseload FBBH Promising Approach Pulaski County/ Medically fragile children 90 90 HFA EB Monroe, Pulaski, Searcy, Washington Counties/At-risk pregnant women 353 338 HIPPYEB Mississippi County/ Families with preschool children 462 462 NFP EB Crittenden, Jefferson, Lee, Mississippi, Phillips, St. Francis Counties/Low income, first-time mothers 283 283 PAT EB Crittenden, Pulaski Counties/At-risk pregnant women 465 445 Home Visiting Program Integration into Early Childhood System: Arkansas’s MIECHV program works closely with many agencies and programs that promote optimal early childhood outcomes. The MIECHV program works with Arkansas’s Individuals with Disabilities Act Part B and C programs to strengthen collaboration, resulting in development of a referral template, monthly meetings, and an online referral portal. Monthly meetings ensure referrals, transfers, and communication occurs timely so that families receive services tailored to their needs. Collaboration with Head Start. Arkansas’s MIECHV works with Head Start at the local and statewide level. Efforts include collaboration on individualized education programs and co-training events and opportunities.
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).
