On Wednesday night, April 26, the National Home Visiting Coalition hosted a well-attended reception to thank Congressional members and staff for their support of the reauthorization of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program (MIECHV).
Hill staff and advocates with Congs. Davis and LaHood
Staff from the House and Senate joined advocates in a toast to the 5-year reauthorization, which includes a historic funding increase and other improvements to target home visiting services to more families.
Danny K. Davis (D-IL), the lead cosponsor of the bill, thanked advocates and staff for their hard work and noted that the success of the reauthorization was rooted in the deep commitment he and the late Jackie Walorski (R-IN) had to the program. Walorski, who passed away tragically in a car accident last summer, was a strong supporter of MIECHV and worked across the aisle with Davis on the issue. “Jackie and I both had faith that we could accomplish this bipartisan legislation,” reflected Davis.
Also in attendance were Ways and Means Committee member Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), who took up Walorski’s mantle during negotiations, and Work and Welfare Subcommittee Chairman Darin LaHood (R-IL). LaHood also memorialized Rep. Walorski, who he said “cared deeply” about MIECHV, and that the reauthorization is a fitting legacy.
The reauthorized MIECHV program doubles the funding over the course of the 5 years, doubles the set-aside for tribal programs, and allows continued use of virtual services with family choice. Two Notices of Funding Opportunity have been released for tribal programs, and states have been notified of their FY24 funding ceilings. Many states are indicating they will use FY24 funds to level-set workforce salaries—the largest expenditures in the program—and begin expanding to serve more families.
Contact Alison.Gee@parentsasteachers.org for more information on the Home Visiting Coalition.