The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration is giving the Oklahoma State Health Department $7 million to support the agency’s Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program. According to the Health Department, the program served 1,100 households during FY 2017.
“These funds will help support our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of our children and families,” said Interim Commissioner of Health Tom Bates. “We have a dedicated team of professionals who are working to provide support and guidance to families during an important time in their lives, and in the lives of their children.”
The program is focused on high risk populations concerning child development and well-being. The Health Department says of those served, 33 percent of the households are low income, ten percent were pregnant teens and nearly five percent had a history of substance abuse.
Oklahoma’s home visiting programs implement evidence-based initiatives that have proven to help prevent child abuse and neglect, support positive parenting, promote child development and school readiness, and improve the health of families and their children. Services are provided on a voluntary basis, at no cost to families.
