Ten states share $72 million in grants for home visits

Under a program created by the Affordable Care Act, 10 states have received grants to provide early childhood supports and home visits for families who volunteer for those services.

The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program was awarded nearly $72 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for states that have demonstrated a commitment to successful early childhood systems for pregnant women, caregivers, parents, and children aged 8 years and younger. Grants also have been awarded to states that are developing new home visiting programs or using proven strategies to support families and improve health and developmental outcomes.

“Home visits from an experienced counselor can help provide skills and links to important services and early childhood education,” Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, said in a press release.

Awardees are Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.

The grants “will give states a significant boost in their efforts to keep children safe and healthy,” said Mary K. Wakefield, PhD, RN, administrator of HRSA.

Two HHS agencies, the Administration for Children and Families and HRSA, are implementing the home visiting program and working together to offer states guidance in early learning and development, the improvement of maternal and child health outcomes, the prevention and identification of child maltreatment, and family engagement.

For more information, visit mchb.hrsa.gov/programs/homevisiting/.