CTIPP is pleased to announce that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act (H.R.8876) with an overwhelming majority of 390-26.
The legislation reauthorizes and strengthens the federal MIECHV program, which supports evidence-based home visitation to support healthy maternal and child health and development, and which was set to expire on December 16, 2022.
MIECHV, which provides grants to states, territories, and Tribes, is recognized as the gold-standard in evidence-based policymaking. From pregnancy through Kindergarten entry, MIECHV-funded home visiting improves maternal and infant health by creating connections between families and caregivers; screening for perinatal depression; connecting parents with appropriate community-based behavioral health care; supporting early childhood development and learning; providing referrals when certain risk factors, including trauma or domestic violence, are present in the home; helping children who experience trauma and toxic stress; targeting the social determinants of health affecting families; and helping families navigate complex community-based systems of supports.
Named in honor of the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN), the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act (H.R. 8876) would increase federal investment in MIECHV by $100 million, phase in additional federal matching, double the amount of funding reserved for tribal governments, and dedicate funding specifically for workforce development and research and evaluation. The legislation would result in an increase in state allocations for every state and territory.
And while this is indeed a day for celebration, our work is not yet over.
Now that the U.S. House has given such a strong endorsement of this needed MIECHV reauthorization, we must keep up the pressure, especially on the U.S. Senate, to ensure these policies and critically needed new resources are part of any final comprehensive legislation Congress enacts by the end of the year.
SIGN OUR UPDATED LETTER TODAY: https://ctipp.salsalabs.org/miechvfundingsenate.
We'd like to thank our entire network of advocates for educating their Congresspeople on this important issue!