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
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
Home visits improve kids’ lives – letter to the editor
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.