The Association of State and Tribal Home Visiting Initiatives welcomes congressional movement last week to extend the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood (MIECHV) voluntary home visiting program through the introduction of reauthorization legislation.  MIECHV provides $400 million annually to states and tribes to offer in-home supports to parents to improve child health outcomes, prevent child abuse, and improve school readiness among at-risk children.  Failure to reauthorize MIECHV by September 30th risks loss of home visiting staff, program closure, and significant disruption to families and communities.  ASTHVI applauds the Republican members of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee for moving forward to reauthorize MIECHV on time.

The reauthorization legislation introduced on June 8 would extend MIECHV for five years, offering states and tribes budgetary stability and the ability to plan effectively.  It maintains flexibility to select evidence-based models focused on improving health, child welfare, and early education outcomes.  ASTHVI looks forward to working with policymakers to address state concerns regarding the possible unintended consequences of proposals including amendments to the current evidence standard and new requirement of a state match.

ASTHVI, a nonpartisan nonprofit, represents state and tribal administrators overseeing federal home visiting initiatives.  ASTHVI is dedicated to supporting members in the effective implementation of home visiting programs in states, tribes and territories.  ASTHVI looks forward to providing insights and perspectives on the implications of various policy proposals as needed and requested by all policymakers in the reauthorization process.