Thursday, December 26, 2024
12/26/2024
I. Project Abstract Project Title: HRSA FY 2023 Non-Competing Continuation Update (NCC Update) Applicant Name: Colorado Department of Early Childhood Project Director: Rebecca Dunn, MIECHV Program Administrator Address: Colorado Department of Early Childhood 710 S. Ash St (Building C), Denver, CO 80220; (720) 539-1535 rebecca.dunn@state.co.us; https://cdec.colorado.gov/ Purpose: Colorado MIECHV will implement three evidence-based home visiting models across 21 counties to improve parent and family outcomes, including decreases in preterm birth rates, increases in breastfeeding, decreases in child maltreatment investigated cases, increases in primary caregiver education attainment, and improvements in other crucial indicators (as set by HRSA’s MIECHV benchmarks). Goals and Objectives: SMARTIE GOAL 1: In every month of the period of performance (September 30, 2023 – September 29, 2025) provide evidence-based home visiting services in 21 Colorado counties serving a caseload of 1,486 families. SMARTIE GOAL 2: Using Parent Possible’s Enhanced Home Visiting (EHV) model of home visitor training and support, 14 MIECHV sites and 100 home visitors, coordinators, and supervisors will participate in a total of 500 mental health consultation sessions and two trauma-informed and equity-informed care retreats between October 1, 2023 and September 29, 2024. SMARTIE GOAL 3: Improve family stability and self-sufficiency of home visiting families by continuing systems-building and navigation in the San Luis Valley from October 1, 2023 through September 29, 2024. During this timeframe (1.) 60 families enrolled in home visiting (including 40 MIECHV families) shall be provided coordinated supports around education, employment services, child care, and basic needs; (2.) 70% of home visiting caregivers pursuing community college shall pass credit hours; and (3.) 60% of individuals pursuing employment shall gain or improve their employment. Methodology: Colorado will utilize HIPPY, NFP, and PAT home visiting models to provide services to a caseload of 1,486 families in year one and 1,486 in year two. Colorado’s current caseload is 1,526 slots. Colorado will continue to recruit at-risk families including low-income families and those living in poverty, families with low educational attainment, families impacted by domestic violence, families impacted by substance abuse, and families facing stressors that put them at risk for premature birth, low-birth weight infants, infant mortality, poor health, or maltreatment. Colorado MIECHV places a high priority on linking MIECHV home visitation with referral networks and community resources, including statewide early childhood systems, in order to best serve eligible families. The Department of Early Childhood is actively involved in the Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC), the state’s federally-authorized state advisory council for early childhood. ECLC includes home visitation investment in one of its priorities, and MIECHV staff is highly active in that work. Additionally, CO MIECHV partners with several state agencies to align and target services to ensure programs are best meeting the needs of families. These partners include Colorado Department of Human Services, Colorado Department of Education, local school districts, early childhood councils, state intermediaries, health systems, county social service offices, institutes of higher education, and child welfare systems. Activities between these partners include shared data agreements, regular meetings with documentation, ongoing communication to address urgent or new needs, and sharing of newsletters, reports, and program updates.
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).