Title
Resolution Approving the City of Hampton, Virginia's Participation in and Appropriation of the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Grant through the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Health
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
Hampton Healthy Families Partnership has received a federal grant award from the Division of Child and Family Health. The grant is in place to support the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visitation (MIECHV) programs. Hampton Healthy Families received initial grant funding in October 2013. The initial grant funding ended September 30, 2016. Hampton Healthy Families submitted a new proposal in May 2016 and received funding to support the home visitation program in the amount of $372,923.00 annually, to be renewed each year for 4 years. The new grant award was effective October 1, 2016.
Discussion:
The Maternal, Infant, Early Childhood Home Visitation grant benefits the community by allowing home visitation to be expanded through the implementation of the Parents As Teachers Model. Parents As Teachers is evidence-based early childhood home visiting service which has four primary goals:
• Provide parents with child development knowledge and parenting support
• Provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues
• Prevent child abuse and neglect
• Increase children’s school readiness
The target population for this program includes families residing in the City of Hampton, with children ages 3 months through 3 years of age, and will include military families, uninsured or under insured and experiencing behavioral problems, and those involved in Early Intervention or Child Protective Services.
The benefits of Early Childhood Home Visitation include: better birth outcomes including a reduction in the number of babies born low birth weight; increased immunization rates; enhanced parent-child interactions and increased protective factors associated with prevention of child maltreatment, stronger school performance, and fewer behavior problems.
These funds are federal funds administered by the Virginia Department of Health. The total estimated amount of the grant including the 4 renewal periods is $1,793,605.
Impact:
This grant award allows Hampton Healthy Families to expand prevention and home visitation services in the City of Hampton. The addition of the Parents As Teachers home visiting model fills an identified gap in our community as this program allows families to enter services when their children are between ages 3 months and 3 years. This funding will provide services to an additional 110 families, in ongoing services. Hampton Healthy Families continues to build partnerships within the community. This project will allow for stronger collaboration with the Family Advocacy Program (Military), and service delivery for military families residing in Hampton.
The grant does not require a cash or in-kind match during the four years of funding. Employees working in this program will be fully funded by the grant.
Recommendation:
Approve.
Body
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Family Health Services has awarded the City of Hampton, the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visitation (MIECHV) Grant in the amount of $372,923 in Federal funds with no local cash or in-kind match requirement; and
WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period 10/01/2016 through 09/30/2017.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton accepts and appropriates the MIECHV Grant as awarded/made by the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Family Health Services MIECHV Grant in the amount of $372,923, and any supplemental funding, in accordance with the grant agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take the necessary steps to implement this grant award.