Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Homevisiting Grant Program - Purpose: Missouri MIECHV seeks to fund Evidence-Based Home Visiting (EBHV) services for pregnant women and families with children birth to five years of age in fourteen counties identified in the 2020 Updated Needs Assessment as most at-risk for poor maternal and child health outcomes. In year two, four additional identified at-risk counties in the northern regions of the state will be added through a plan for two bid processes funded with match funds during year one. Awarded proposals will determine the EBHV model of best fit for the communities to be served. Plans also include professional development for home visitors to accurately provide screening for depression and interpersonal violence (IPV), as well as training to provide strategies to assist families in understanding and addressing their child’s ongoing developmental needs. Approved EBHV models include Early Head Start Home Based Option, Healthy Families America, Nurse Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. Goals (G) and Objectives (O): G1: A state and local infrastructure to implement EBHV programs and services that are part of an early childhood system within the state. G1-O1: Through September 29, 2027, the Missouri MIECHV program will continue active participation through formal agreements with internal and state-level partners allowing for enhanced coordination of activities to deliver EBHV services with a focus on providing equitable services to low-income at-risk families. G1-O2: Through September 29, 2027, MIECHV funding will continue support of data collection by LIAs and completion of ongoing monitoring of data quality to assess progress on performance measure and outcomes data for the purpose of guiding activities and measurement of effectiveness of EBHV services. G2: Identify needs and provide comprehensive services to improve outcomes for families who reside in at-risk communities (counties). G2-O1: By September 29, 2027, increase the percentage of infants being breastfed at six months to at least 45% among families enrolled in home visiting programs across at-risk counties. G2-O2: By September 29, 2027, increase the rate of completed referrals for IPV services to at least 60% for identified cases within home visiting programs in at-risk counties. G3: Provide guidance through contract processes and support to meet fidelity of EBHV models and through professional development for LIAs to ensure high quality services to families. G3-O1: Through September 29, 2027, contracts will be executed and supported for the continuation of EBHV services in fourteen counties, with the plan of utilizing bid processes to initiate EBHV services through matching funds in four additional counties identified at-risk. G3-O2: Through September 29, 2027, professional development will be provided to LIAs, with input from LIA staff, for the purpose of strengthening services for families through increasing home visitor knowledge. Approach: Major methods/activities include: Total Proposed Caseload: Year One: 697 and Year Two: 801 MIECHV Communities Served: During Year One - Andrew, Buchanan, Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Jackson, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, St. Louis City, and Wayne. During Year Two Adair, Harrison, Linn, and Mercer will be added through planned bid processes during year one. LIAs: Total number of LIAs/Local sites in year one- seven, with two additional LIAs during year two. Matching Funds: During Year One a bid process will be utilized to expand services in the currently served counties of Mississippi and New Madrid and two additional bid processes will take place to expand services into four additional at-risk counties to begin EBHV services in Year Two. Matching funds will also support services in the counties of Andrew, Buchanan, Jackson, and St. Louis City and professional development (PD) opportunities will be provided for LIA staff to strengthen the home visiting workforce and will also allow for PD for MIECHV staff.
