Help More At-Risk Kids Like Surena Get Ready To Learn

Rosa's daughter, Surena was born 3 months premature and weighed just over 1 pound. As a first time mom living in a rural town in California, Rosa felt isolated and alone.

Luckily, Diana, an Early Childhood Coordinator with Save the Children was there to help — connecting Rosa with a nurse and high-risk infant services while working closely with her to start start reading, talking and singing regularly to her daughter, laying a foundation of language and literacy skills for her child. Today, 4-year-old Surena is thriving and attending preschool.

Sometimes, parents just need a little extra help to ensure they have the skills and resources they need to help their kids grow up and thrive. The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) matches parents like Rosa and their kids with trained community members who help support child literacy and teach parenting skills.

Last year, MIECHV helped more than 150,000 parents and children. And, the program is making a big impact — 70% of children enrolled in MIECHV had a family member who read, told stories, and/or sang with them on a daily basis. And 74% had a timely screening for developmental delays.

Unfortunately, the need for home visiting programs like these is greatly outmatched by the funding currently available. That's why we need you to contact your member of Congress and ask them to support new legislation that will increase funding for these critical programs.

Send a message to your member of Congress today asking them to double the funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program.
Subject: Support H.R. 4768 to double MIECHV funding for at-risk families

Dear [Decisionmaker],

I am writing to ask you to co-sponsor and then vote to pass H.R. 4768, the Home Visiting to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Act. The bill would double Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) funding from $400 million to $800 million over two years.

MIECHV gives at-risk pregnant women and families necessary resources and skills to raise children who are physically, socially, and emotionally healthy and ready to succeed. MIECHV matches moms and dads and their kids with trained community members to support child literacy and teach parenting skills.

In FY 2018, MIECHV served more than 150,000 parents and children. It funds states, territories, and tribal entities to develop and implement evidence-based, voluntary programs that best meet the needs of their communities.

The program is making a big impact on kids' readiness to succeed in life. 70% of children enrolled in MIECHV had a family member who read, told stories, and/or sang with them on a daily basis. And 74% had a timely screening for developmental delays.

Evidence-informed, voluntary home visiting strengthens families and communities. Home visiting programs increase school readiness for kids while improving the economic security for participating families. Home visiting programs are especially beneficial in rural areas where early childhood and parenting resources are scarce.

The need for home visiting programs like these is greatly outmatched by the funding currently available. That is why I urge you to please co-sponsor and vote to pass H.R. 4768, the Home Visiting to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Act.

Update #14 years ago
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that will double funding for the federal home visiting program! This victory didn’t just happen. People like you stepped up and contacted Congress to urge lawmakers to pass this legislation. Thank you!
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