States get $72M for child home visits

Ten states received grants totaling $72 million to provide early childhood support and home visits to families who ask for these services, U.S. officials said. Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said the awards are part of the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program created under the Affordable Care Act. The funding will allow states to expand or establish home visiting programs, Sebelius said. "Home visits from an experienced counselor can help provide skills and links to important services and early childhood education," Sebelius said in a statement. "Today's awards include states that have demonstrated a commitment to operating successful early childhood systems for pregnant women, parents, caregivers and children from birth-to-8-years. The awards also include states that are developing new home visiting programs, using proven strategies, to support families and improve health and developmental outcomes." The funding was awarded to Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington state. The funds provide states with guidance and assistance in early learning and development, prevention and identification of child maltreatment, improvement of maternal and child health outcomes and family engagement.