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FSS Onboarding Lesson 2: What is MIECHV?

The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting federal grant -- funding, performance measures, and Delaware's implementation.

What MIECHV Is

MIECHV was authorized under Section 2951 of the Affordable Care Act of 2010. It is administered at the federal level by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program provides formula and competitive grants to states, territories, and tribal entities to implement and expand evidence-based home visiting programs.

How Funding Flows

  1. Federal government (HRSA) awards the MIECHV grant to the state.
  2. Delaware DHSS/DPH receives the funding and administers the grant at the state level.
  3. DPH sub-grants portions of the funding to Local Implementing Agencies (LIAs) based on the number of families they serve and the services they provide.
  4. LIAs use the funding to employ FSS workers, operate home visiting programs, and fulfill all reporting requirements.

Federal Benchmark Domains

MIECHV requires states to demonstrate improvement in six benchmark areas:

  • Child development and school readiness
  • Child health -- including immunizations, well-child visits, breastfeeding, and safe sleep
  • Family economic self-sufficiency
  • Referrals and community coordination
  • Domestic violence -- screening, safety planning, and connection to resources
  • Family functioning -- including parenting skills, parent-child interaction, and caregiver mental health

What MIECHV Compliance Means for Your Work

  • Completing required documentation for each home visit in a timely manner
  • Administering required developmental screenings and documenting results
  • Recording referrals made and following up on outcomes
  • Completing all required trainings on schedule
  • Supporting your supervisor and LIA in data collection processes

Learning Check

After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

  • Explain what MIECHV is and which federal agencies administer it
  • Describe how MIECHV funding flows from the federal government to LIAs and FSS workers
  • Name the six MIECHV benchmark domains and explain why data collection is a core part of an FSS worker's role