HRSA
The HRSA Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program launched in 2010 to
improve the lives of America’s most vulnerable children and families through voluntary, evidence-based
home visiting for at-risk pregnant women and parents with young children.
The Program – also known as MIECHV – builds on decades of scientific research showing
that home visits by a nurse, social worker, early childhood educator, or other trained
professional during pregnancy and early childhood improve the lives of children and families.
Home visiting programs empower families with the tools they need to thrive.
When a family chooses to participate in a home visiting program in their community,
they have regular, planned visits with a trusted and caring professional.
Home visitors help parents learn how to improve their family’s health and provide the
best opportunities for their children.
Research has also found that evidence-based home visiting can be
cost-effective in the long term.
Home visiting can increase parents’ earnings by reducing maternal alcohol abuse and
improving parents’ high school graduation rates.
And, home visiting programs are shown to reduce government spending in the longer term by
reducing families’ need for public assistance programs.
The MIECHV Program makes grants to states and territories in the U.S. and serves families
in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories.
These states and territories then have the flexibility to contract home visiting
services to local implementing agencies and tailor programs to serve the specific needs
of their communities, while focusing on improving the well-being of the families and children
in six key areas:
Improved maternal and newborn health, Reduced child injuries, abuse, and neglect,
Improved school readiness and achievement, Reduced crime or domestic violence,
Improved family economic self-sufficiency, and
Improved coordination and referrals for community resources.
Home visitors encourage parents’ use of positive parenting techniques and help
promote early learning in the home.
Home visitors emphasize the strong communication between parents and children that is so crucial
to stimulating early language development, so that children are ready to succeed in school
and in life.
Home visitors are often a vital source of information and support, providing guidance
on a wide range of topics including breastfeeding, safe sleep practices, injury prevention,
and childcare solutions.
Home visitors work in partnership with parents and other caregivers to help them set goals
for the future—and help them work to attain those goals—whether that’s to continue
their own education or find or change employment—so that parents, as well as their children are
set on a path towards success.
Home visitors identify and assess family strengths and risks, by screening children
for developmental delays, which can facilitate early diagnosis and intervention for autism
and other developmental disabilities.
They also help ensure that parents have the supports they need to care for their children,
screening caregivers for postpartum depression, substance abuse, and family violence, and
connecting them to the resources they need.
The MIECHV Program gives families necessary resources and skills to raise children who
are physically, socially, and emotionally healthy, learning and ready to succeed.
The Program’s two-generation approach is aimed at improving the well-being of both
parents and children across the lifespan, leading to healthier and stronger families
and communities.
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