Home visiting programs play a vital role for kids and families. They provide support to new parents and infants, especially to low-income mothers throughout our state. Now national funding for home visiting programs are on the line. The funding source, called MIECHV (which stands for Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting), is an important program that supports the implementation of evidence-based home visiting programs in Utah and across the U.S. The funding expires on September 30th. Rigorous research shows home visiting:
• Reduces child abuse and neglect
• Improves the health and well-being of young children
• Increases parental self-sufficiency as parents stay in school and/or obtain gainful, stable employment
• Improves school readiness and success in young children
The MIECHV program, as it is structured now, allows states and local communities to make the decisions that are right for them about how to provide home visiting services. At the same time, it encourages innovation and continuous improvement.
Utah relies on MIECHV to support home visiting programs and services that help families succeed.
We are now at a critical moment in the drive to reauthorize MIECHV. To learn more and show your support for these important programs check out the National Home Visiting Coalition website, where you can get regular updates and action alerts to protect MIECHV funding: http://homevisitingcoalition.com/
Home visiting is a smart, proven investment in our most important asset – our families. Thank you to the Home Visiting Coalition for this background on MIECHV.
Finally, for more information about our statewide programs, and the important role evidence-based home visiting programs play in Utah, visit the Utah State Office of Home Visiting.
