Reauthorize the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of reauthorizing the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, known as MIECHV, which the House is expected to consider later today.

Proudly, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was one of the earliest adopters of evidence-based State policies and has utilized MIECHV to aid more than 4,000 families statewide. MIECHV-supported home visiting programs are widely embraced on both sides of the aisle. The programs have a proven record of success, and they support the Nation's most vulnerable families during a critical and crucial time in their children's development.

Parents truly are the children's first teachers, and the results speak for themselves. MIECHV helps improve maternal and newborn health.

It reduces child injuries, abuse, and neglect. It improves school readiness and achievement. It reduces crime and domestic violence. It improves family economic self-sufficiency.

Mr. Speaker, during the home visiting process, nurses, social workers, educators, and other trained professionals form relationships with the expectant parents and visit with them until their child has completed his or her first year of school. This model of care empowers parents to make healthy decisions that positively impact their child's health, well-being, and learning development.

In Pennsylvania, MIECHV's funds support four evidence-based home visiting models. These include Early Head Start, Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. MIECHV funding plays a critical role in helping increase the availability of these services to more and more families across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Scientific research has supported claims that these services positively impact health, education, and employment outcomes for children while reducing criminal justice costs, instances of child abuse, and independence on public assistance.

These services can also play a key role in helping to support infants and mothers struggling with addiction. Pennsylvania has a long history of evidence-based home visiting programs because they are a proven way to strengthen families and improve the lives of children.

For these reasons, I look forward to supporting H.R. 2824, the Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, when it comes to the House floor this afternoon.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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