Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting supports pregnant women and families and helps parents of children from birth to age five

“Families of modest means need a government on their side when it comes to accessing needed health care and support for their kids,” said  Senator Mikulski

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell, today announced $8,766,550 in federal funding to support the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (Home Visiting Program) in Maryland. These funds will allow Maryland to continue to expand voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services to women during pregnancy and to parents with young children. Nationally, $386 million was awarded to states, territories, and nonprofit organizations to support the Home Visiting Program.

“Families of modest means need a government on their side when it comes to accessing needed health care and support for their kids,” said Senator Mikulski, Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee that funds the Department of Health and Human Services. “As a former social worker, I’ve seen first-hand the impact a children’s care professional can make in the life and development of a child. These funds in the federal checkbook will help new and expecting parents across Maryland raise kids that are physically, socially and emotionally healthy.”

“Despite living in one of the wealthiest states in the country, far too many Maryland mothers and expecting mothers face barriers to raising healthy children,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care. The Home Visiting Program helps breaks down these barriers by focusing on community based solutions. By directly addressing low birth weight, teen birth rate, infant mortality and many more chronic issues we are saving money in the long run, more importantly we are saving lives.”

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