More families are now receiving home visits funded through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program than in years prior. Data from reports to Congress for fiscal years (FYs) 2022 and 2023, and from the MIECHV dashboard, indicate that not only are an increasing number of families participating (from 69,571 in FY2022 to 75,046 in FY2024), but the MIECHV Program is on track to provide 1 million home visits in 2025.
Extensive research has shown that home visiting programs, like the evidence-based two-generation programs funded by MIECHV, improve outcomes for both children and parents.
Home visiting programs offer a number of services provided by trained professionals. Home visitors typically screen children for developmental delays and screen mothers for symptoms that could indicate they are suffering from depression. In addition, home visitors help connect families to other community services.
Figure: The number of home visits provided by the MIECHV Program rose from FY2022 to FY2024
Source: 2023 MIECHV Report to Congress [for FY2022 data], 2024 MIECHV Report to Congress [for FY2023 data], MIECHV Program Outcomes Dashboard [for FY2024 data]
With the most recent reauthorization of the MIECHV Program in December 2022, states and jurisdictions are now eligible to apply for matching funds (for every $1 of non-federal funds, they receive $3 in federal money). In FY2024, the first year for which awards were available, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded more than $37 million in federal matching funds for evidence-based home visiting. Moving forward, matching funds will continue to be available using an expanded formula, reaching $300 million in FY2027. These additional funds will allow states and jurisdictions the opportunity to reach even more families and, in turn, provide significantly more home visits.
Child Trends and Home Visiting
Experts at Child Trends have a long track record of researching and supporting home visiting efforts. We work with federal, state, local, and philanthropic partners to improve the quality of, access to, and use of home visiting programs. Our publications have included reports on strategies to increase recruitment and uptake of home visiting, ways to support the home visiting workforce, and a framework for implementation quality.
In addition, we helped HRSA design the MIECHV Program Outcomes Dashboard. We also support state and federal home visiting programs through data analysis, data visualization, data integration, technical assistance, and policy development. If you are interested in learning more about our work on these topics, please contact Sarah Crowne or Christina Padilla.