Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Homevisiting Grant Program - Abstract Project Title: Alabama’s Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program Purpose: This project supports statewide efforts to ensure high-quality early childhood support for families with children from birth to kindergarten entry. Alabama’s First Teacher Home Visiting Program will implement the Parents as Teachers and Nurse-Family Partnership models through 14 Local Implementing Agencies (LIAs). Matching federal funds will strengthen service delivery and expand access. Goals and Objectives: The Alabama First Teacher Home Visiting (FTHV) Program expands access to evidence-based home visiting services and improves outcomes for children and families in high-need communities. Goal 1: Increase capacity of evidence-based home visiting services. Objective 1.1: By September 29, 2028, maintain service provision in all FY 2026 counties. Sites will maintain at least 85% enrollment capacity, strengthen referral pathways, and monitor recruitment, retention, and attrition. Programs will implement models with fidelity supported by quality assurance. Goal 2: Improve maternal and newborn health outcomes. Objective 2.1: By September 29, 2028, maintain or improve performance over FY 2027 in at least one-third of MIECHV Benchmark 1 constructs through consistent data collection and targeted technical assistance. Goal 3: Prevent child injuries, abuse, neglect, and reduce ED visits. Objective 3.1: Improve or maintain performance in at least one-third of Benchmark 2 constructs through data monitoring and LIA support focused on child safety outcomes. Goal 4: Improve school readiness and child development. Objective 4.1: Maintain or improve at least one-third of Benchmark 3 constructs using developmental screening, early learning supports, and technical assistance. Goal 5: Reduce intimate partner violence. Objective 5.1: Improve or maintain at least one-third of Benchmark 4 constructs through improved identification, referral, and family support systems. Goal 6: Improve family economic self-sufficiency. Objective 6.1: Maintain or improve at least one-third of Benchmark 5 constructs by strengthening referrals to employment, education, and stability resources. Goal 7: Improve coordination of community resources. Objective 7.1: Maintain or improve at least one-third of Benchmark 6 constructs through strengthened partnerships and referral tracking. Goal 8: Strengthen evaluation and data integration. Objectives 8.1–8.4: Ongoing performance monitoring, development of electronic data linkages with early childhood systems by FY 2027, expansion to K–12 linkages by FY 2028, and participation in workforce CQI initiatives. Goal 9: Continuous quality improvement. Objective 9.1: Implement ongoing CQI activities, including training, national initiatives, and evidence-based enhancements such as Mothers and Babies. Approach: ADECE will implement a coordinated, evidence-based home visiting system using standardized protocols, data-driven decision-making, and continuous quality improvement across 14 LIAs. Caseload: The program proposes 1,642 family slots per federal fiscal year for FY 2026–2028. Caseload will be distributed based on community need, population density, and performance. Communities Served: In FY 2026, services will reach 42 MIECHV communities, including 2 newly added communities identified through need-based criteria such as poverty rates and limited access to early childhood services. Local Implementing Agencies (LIAs): Fourteen LIAs will deliver services with fidelity to evidence-based models. Each will receive ongoing training, technical assistance, and performance monitoring. Matching Funds: The program will leverage federal matching funds to expand caseload capacity and service reach. Non-federal match will be provided through state general funds, supporting sustainability and cross-sector investment.
