Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Homevisiting Grant Program - Grant Funds: HRSA-25-031 – $1,327,779 (Base Grant), $1,051,956 (Matching Grant) Match Funds: $350,652 from Wyoming State General Funds DFS administers the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, supporting the implementation of Parents as Teachers (PAT), an evidence-based home visiting model. Currently operating in six counties—Albany, Campbell, Fremont, Laramie, Natrona, and Sweetwater—MIECHV services will expand to a seventh county (Carbon) by October 1, 2025, under the FFY24 grant, and to two additional counties (Hot Springs and Platte) by October 1, 2027, under the FFY25 grant. Home visiting is a proven prevention strategy designed to support pregnant individuals and families with young children by promoting maternal and child health, preventing child abuse and neglect, and fostering early childhood development and school readiness. In 2022, there were 6,053 live births in Wyoming, with a birth rate of 10.3 per 1,000 people, remaining above the regional average in the western United States. This sustained birth rate highlights the continued need for high-quality, voluntary home visiting services across the state. With the support of HRSA funding and state general funds, DFS and its partners are strategically positioned to expand access to effective home visiting services. These services are delivered by trained Family Support Specialists (FSS) through a well-established Local Implementing Agency (LIA) using the Home Visitor Personnel Cost Method. Projected caseloads are 269 families in Year One and 323 families in Year Two. Program Goals and Objectives: Increase program capacity to implement effective, evidence-based home visiting services statewide. Enhance the readiness and responsiveness of PAT FSS in addressing family crises and complex needs. Strengthen statewide coordination by facilitating the Wyoming Home Visiting Alliance, promoting collaboration and knowledge-sharing among home visiting programs. Explore sustainable funding opportunities to further expand MIECHV services and reach more families by the end of the project period (September 29, 2027). WY DFS remains committed to building an effective statewide system of early childhood supports that reduce risk, strengthen families, and improve lifelong outcomes for children. Oversight of this initiative is provided by one dedicated DFS Program Analyst with expertise in program operations, data utilization, and strategic planning.
