Thursday, April 3, 2025
4/3/2025
Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Homevisiting Grant Program - Address: 401 S. Clinton Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607 Project Director: Lesley Schwartz Phone: (312) 254-6118 E-mail: Lesley.schwartz@illinois.gov Website: www.igrowillinois.org Funds Requested: $ 11,901,581 PURPOSE: Illinois MIECHV targets priority populations and aims to improve child and family outcomes by implementing three evidence-based home visiting (HV) models in 11 at-risk communities (ARCs). The ARCs include urban sites with concentrations of poverty, suburban townships with fast-growing refugee and immigrant populations, and rural counties where isolation and lack of transportation exacerbate conditions for priority populations. In 2021-22, 80% of MIECHV families earned low incomes, 24% had low student achievement, 16% had a child with developmental issues, 15% had child welfare involvement, and 7% had substance use concerns. This year, additional funds will expand HV service delivery as well as strengthen workforce quality and systems supports. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Goal 1. Strengthen and improve programming to effectively support Title V activities. 1.1 Strengthen collaboration with Title V. 1.2 Embed training on three Title V topics into the HV professional development system. 1.3 Systematically apply a health equity lens to planning, including the use of maternal and infant mortality data. Goal 2. Increase implementation of coordinated services in At Risk Communities (ARCs) to address needs of eligible families. 2.1 Based on readiness assessments, expand MIECHV to up to 3 new At Risk Communities (as funding permits). 2.2 With diverse family and stakeholder engagement, develop an action plan for a statewide coordinated intake (CI) system. 2.3 Support partnerships to improve how families from priority populations are systematically connected to HV. 2.4 Based on data from diverse home visitors, develop strategies for growing and retaining the HV workforce. 2.5 Increase family engagement at the state, community and program levels. 2.6 CI programs will analyze recruitment and enrollment data to improve coordination and outcomes. Goal 3. Identify and provide comprehensive services to improve outcomes for eligible families living in at-risk communities. 3.1. Through a coordinated system of professional development, technical assistance, quality assessment, and monitoring, ensure provision of high quality services. 3.2 Coordinate with comprehensive statewide early childhood systems to ensure connection of HV to at least two systems addressing SDOH. 3.3 HV programs will analyze demographic and benchmark data to improve coordination and outcomes. METHODOLOGY: Illinois continues to support three evidence-based models (PAT, HFA, and Family Connects) in 11 at-risk communities. (Family Connects is used as a CI strategy.) Illinois MIECHV services will continue in the following communities: (1) Cicero (Cook County); (2) Southside Cluster in Chicago (ie, Englewood, West Englewood and Greater Grand Crossing neighborhoods); (3) East St Louis (St. Clair); (4) Lake County; (5) Elgin (Kane); (6) City of Rockford (Winnebago); (7) Stephenson County; (8) Peoria County; (9) Kankakee County; (10) Macon County; and (11) Vermilion County. Target populations include families experiencing homelessness, pregnant and parenting youth in child welfare care, families at risk for maternal depression, dual language learners, and families with substance use issues. The current caseload of MIECHV family slots is 937. The proposed caseload of family slots is 1,033 for FFY2023 and 1,033 for FFY2024. Key activities to ensure linkages and referral networks include expanding on Title V partnerships including for families with substance use issues; conducting readiness assessments to plan for future service expansion; developing a HV workforce plan; participating in the Illinois Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems project; and engaging families in state-level planning.
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).