Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant

Objectives: The goals of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV Program) are to: (1) strengthen and improve the programs and activities carried out under Title V of the Social Security Act; (2) improve coordination of services for at-risk communities; and (3) identify and provide comprehensive services to improve outcomes for eligible families who reside in at-risk communities. The MIECHV Program supports voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services for pregnant women and parents with young children up to kindergarten entry. The MIECHV Program builds upon decades of scientific research that shows home visits conducted by a nurse, social worker, or other trained professional during pregnancy and in the first years of a child’s life improves the lives of children and families. Home visiting helps prevent childhood and adult chronic disease and behavioral health conditions, supports families to prevent child abuse and neglect, promotes child development and school readiness, and boosts families’ economic self-sufficiency. Consistent with the program’s authorizing statute MIECHV funds provide grants to 56 states and jurisdictions through base and matching funds. State and jurisdiction grantees conduct statewide needs assessments to identify eligible at-risk communities, reach statutorily-defined priority populations, and choose one or more of the 24 approved evidence-based home visiting models or identify promising approaches that will best meet the specific needs of their states and communities.