What Is MIECHV?

The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) provides federal funds to home visiting providers that meet evidence-based criteria specified in the law.  MIECHV funds home visiting programs in every state and strengthens communities by improving outcomes for children and their families. 

A cornerstone of evidence-based public policy, MIECHV provides funds for developing and implementing voluntary, evidence-based home visiting programs. In 2022, Congress enacted a bipartisan five-year reauthorization of the MIECHV program. For the first time since the program’s creation in 2010, the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022  included new funding. By 2027, these new federal investments and state matching dollars will double the program’s annual investment in home visiting. The Home Visiting Coalition leads advocacy efforts in support of MIECHV and works with partners to support its success at the state and local level.

MIECHV serves families that disproportionately face barriers and challenges to health and well-being, and currently reaches over 1,000 counties in the United States. In fiscal year 2023, 92 percent of participating families had household incomes at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty guidelines ($60,000 for a family of four), and 67 percent were at or below 100 percent of those guidelines ($30,000 for a family of four). 

In order to be eligible for federal funding MIECHV grantees must demonstrate that a home visiting program meets each of the following “benchmarks”:

• Improves maternal and newborn health

• Reduces child injuries, abuse, and neglect

• Improves school readiness and achievement

• Reduces crime or domestic violence

• Improves family economic self-sufficiency

• Improves coordination and referral for other community resources

The most recent annual grant awards for the  MIECHV program are available here.

To learn more about MIECHV and MIECHV funded home visiting programs see The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program.