Health care legislation creates $1.5 billion in funding
It’s the start of a new year, and as a new congressional delegation recently was sworn in, talk on Capitol Hill has returned to health care reform—or, rather, repeal. Even if some lawmakers are successful in their attempts to repeal or scale back the federal health care legislation enacted in 2010, funds for one newly-created program likely won’t be impacted.
Organizations hoping to tap into the $1.5 billion entitlement associated with this new program must act now.
Program Aimed at At-Risk Communities
Called the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Visitation Program, this new effort is designed to facilitate collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities to enhance outcomes for children and families in at-risk communities.
The program aims to improve maternal and child health, strengthen the cognitive and physical development of children, ensure school readiness, enhance parenting skills, prevent child maltreatment, reduce crime and domestic violence, and enable economic self-sufficiency for low-income families. Another goal of the program is to better connect families with other supportive services for which they may be eligible.
For decades, programs with these goals have relied on varying funding streams to support crucial home visiting services. The health care legislation took an unprecedented step in changing this scenario by creating the $1.5 billion entitlement specifically for home visitation, with funds planned to be released to states over a five-year period.
Many Alliance for Children and Families and United Neighborhood Centers of America (UNCA) members already provide home visitation programs, or family-strengthening support services. For organizations that hope to access a portion of this new revenue stream, there’s a sense of urgency.
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The Maternal, Infant, and Childhood Visitation Program requires states and territories to collaborate with local organizations to carry out this home visitation mandate. Organizations should make sure their state’s lead agency—most likely the health department—is aware of the important services their organization provides. This is particularly pertinent if your organization has evidence-based results to support your work. Members should seize any opportunity to talk about their organization and share their impact data.
Positioning for Opportunities in the Future
In September 2010, states submitted preliminary assessments of their at-risk communities to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These assessments provide a snapshot of the communities that will benefit most from the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visitation Program. They also provide an overview of existing resources in those communities.
In the coming weeks or months, states will be required to complete a comprehensive assessment of their at-risk communities. States currently are waiting for final requirements from HHS before they can submit their comprehensive assessments.
It remains to be seen whether these requirements from HHS will provide states with another opportunity to identify specific organizations that already are providing home visitation services. In case that opportunity does arise, the Alliance and UNCA suggest that members contact their state’s health department to determine which state agency or department is responsible for monitoring funding from the Maternal, Infant, and Childhood Home Visitation Program. Establishing these contacts early on will likely better position organizations to leverage home visitation funding as it becomes available.
Additional offices to contact include the Title V agency director, the Title II Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) director, the director of the Head Start State Collaboration Office, or the agency that provides substance abuse services. These offices are required to communicate with one another while the home visitation program is carried out.
Until recently, Vanessa Leon worked as a policy analyst for the Alliance and UNCA. Her past experience includes positions as a research assistant for the Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy in New York City and policy consultant with the New York City Office of Financial Empowerment. She has a master’s degree in urban planning from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. |  |
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