MIECHV Reauthorization
The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program is a federal grant to states, territories and Tribes that support evidence-based home visiting for families and children from prenatal period through kindergarten entry.
The law that authorizes MIECHV will expire in September 2022.
Healthy Families America, as a member of the Steering Committee of the National Home Visiting Coalition, is working in partnership with other evidence-based home visiting models and national, state, and local organizations to ensure a timely and robust reauthorization of MIECHV.
The Coalition has set the following priorities:
Increase MIECHV funding over the next five years to reach more families and better support the workforce.
Double the tribal set-aside within MIECHV from three percent to six percent
Continue to allow virtual home visiting with model fidelity as an option for service delivery
Advocacy Toolkit
It is important that members of Congress hear from you! Through your stories, we have the opportunity to educate lawmakers about the importance of evidence-based home visiting programs, including Healthy Families America, and its positive impact on families and children.
Below are materials and guidance that can help you in your advocacy efforts.
Reach out to your Members of Congress and set up a meeting
We recommend that you contact both the U.S. Representative who represents the area where HFA families are being served and your two U.S. Senators. Plus, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. We’ve already written the email for you. :)
Prepare for your meeting
No matter what your level of experience is with engaging with lawmakers, the HFA policy team is here to support you and make your meetings as productive and enjoyable as possible. We’ve developed a ton of resources, from talking points to draft agendas to help you prepare for your meeting.
Following up after your meeting
It is always important to follow up and thank them for the meeting! Remember, just like our HFA work, it’s all about relationships. Continuing the conversation is a great way to keep HFA and MIECHV top of mind.
Prepare for a Congressional site visit
Hosting a site visit with a member of Congress takes some planning and effort but is one of the best ways to build a strong and lasting relationship. A site visit with a member of Congress would be specific to your HFA site and tailored to the interests of the legislator.
For Families: Strategic Sharing
Sharing your story is a very meaningful and effective way to inspire change. As you begin to think about how to share your story in the most impactful way possible, there are several factors you should consider to ensure you and your audience benefit from the experience.
MIECHV and HFA Talking Points
Healthy Families America® (HFA), a nationally recognized program of Prevent Child Abuse America® is one of the most frequently implemented evidence-based home visiting models serving families with MIECHV funding.
MIECHV One-Pager
What is home visiting? What are the asks for MIECHV reauthorization? Download this one pager to share with advocates, legislators, and others to spread the message about evidence based-home visiting.
FAQs
What important dates should I be aware of? Before I get started, what do I need to know about the difference between advocacy, education, and lobbying? Your questions, answered!
Want to contact us?
Interested in learning more about our home visiting programs or helping transform childhoods and communities? Get in touch—we’ll respond as quickly as we can.