The Colorado Home Visiting Coalition just released an animated explainer video: “What is home visiting?” The video is a short introduction to home visiting and answers some of the most common questions about these essential programs. Watch the video to learn what home visiting is and what it helps create. Learn more about Colorado’s home visiting programs
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MIECHV Passes in the House
The U.S House of Representatives passed H.R. 8876, The Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022 with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill passed on a vote of 390-26. Colorado Representatives voting in favor of the bill were: Representative Lauren Boebert, Representative Jason Crow, Representative Diana DeGette, Representative Joe Neguse and Representative Ed Perlmutter.
The bill would double the potential federal contribution to home visiting over the next five years.
It would also:
- Allow for virtual visits as a model enhancement to help reach more families, particularly in rural areas;
- Invest resources in retaining and supporting the home visiting workforce;
- Double investment in the “tribal set-aside” and provide a $124 million increase in tribal funding over 5 years; and
- Reduce paperwork
A Denver home visitor reflects on her work – LTE
a letter to the editor recently published in the Denver North Star
Last week, I worked with 11 families with young children in Denver. I spent time with each family, showing them how playing with simple tools, like bubble solution and pipe cleaners, or water and plastic cups, can build fine motor skills and stimulate brain development in young children.
As a home visitor in Denver, my job is to work alongside families with young children to lay the foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing. My job brings me great joy, but I know it also brings about great change for children, their parents and their communities.
In fact, research shows that home visiting programs promote maternal health and have a long-term positive impact on children’s academic achievement. Home visiting even supports families to become economically self-sufficient by helping parents pursue career opportunities.
Data tells us that families participating in home visiting gain from the program, but society as a whole also benefits from home visiting. For every tax dollar we spend on home visiting, we save between $1.80 and $5.70.
This is why I am asking Colorado’s member of Congress to reauthorize federal funding for home visiting. This funding, known as MIECHV, will expire on September 30. Congress must act to support valuable home visiting programs across Colorado and the United States.
Join me in helping Colorado’s children and families thrive by calling on Congress to reauthorize MIECHV.
Erika Echeverria, Denver
Home visits improve kids’ lives – letter to the editor
A recent letter to the editor published in the Elbert County News
As an educator, I know how important a child’s early years are. Those crucial years are the most important in ensuring children are set up for success in school and in life.
Throughout my career, I have seen that young children who receive quality early education and care have a strong emotional and academic foundation that serves them well in school. But, not all children and families have the necessary supports to provide their children with what they need to thrive during the early years. That’s why the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) is so vital. This program has a proven track record, and the benefits are far reaching: children who receive voluntary home visits have better health, education and economic outcomes.
Unfortunately, funding for MIECHV ends in September. Congress must urgently reauthorize MIECHV to ensure families keep getting the support they need, and meet growing demand for Home Visiting. Estimates show that MIECHV has reached less than 5% of eligible families. Families across Colorado and the United States need the support MIECHV offers.
Join me and Save the Children Action Network in urging Congress to increase funding for MIECHV. All children – no matter their socio-economic background – deserve the best possible start in life. And, home visiting helps to ensure they receive just that.
Cathrine Aasen Floyd, Ph.D
Volunteer leader
Save the Children Action Network
Centennial
Pueblo’s Parents As Teachers program earns national recognition, once again.
The Catholic Charities-Diocese of Pueblo’s Parents As Teachers program was designated a Blue Ribbon affiliate for the third consecutive year.
To earn Blue Ribbon Affiliate status
sites must undergo a rigorous evaluation over and above what a normal
site experiences. According to Parents as Teachers:
“To earn the Quality Endorsement,
affiliates must complete a comprehensive self-study and review process
that demonstrates they are meeting or exceeding the Parents as
Teachers Essential Requirements, along with at least 75 of the 100
Quality Standards.”
To learn more about the the program and read the story of its impact on the Espinoza family check out the article in the Pueblo Chieftain.
Passage of Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act includes a doubling of funding for MIECHV
On December 12, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 3, The Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. The bill seeks to lower prescription drug prices by allowing the government to negotiate with drug manufacturers. Of note to those interested in home visiting was the inclusion in the measure of Representative Danny Davis’ (D-IL) request to dramatically increase funding for The bill doubles our investment in the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program.
MIECHV is a critical source of funding for home visiting efforts in Colorado and throughout the country.
According to Representative Davis:
The bill doubles our investment in the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program (or MIECHV), a proven tool to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. Currently, MIECHV only serves about 150,000 of the estimated 18 million expectant and new parents who could benefit from its help. By doubling the federal investment in home visiting over two years, we would make it possible for more communities to address the root causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. In addition, H.R. 3 would quadruple the federal investment in home visiting in American Indian communities. Native American women are 4.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth complications, but only 23 of 425 eligible tribes receive any federal home visiting support under current law. The promise of this provision is reflected by its support by over 450 state, local, and national organizations.