National Evaluation of the Maternal and Infant Home Visiting Program

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 included $1.5 billion over five years for states to operate the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program.  The legislation also mandated an evaluation of this program. This research project is part of that evaluation, which is directed by MDRC in partnership with Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. and other experts. Families will be recruited from approximately 85 programs in about 12 states. Sites must be operating one of four national models of home visiting: Early Head Start-Home Visiting Option, Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, or Parents as Teachers. NCCF will code videotaped interactions between mothers and children approximately one year after families are randomized to either the home visiting or control group. Information on mothers’ parenting behaviors and children’s affect towards their mothers will be used to assess whether home visiting has an impact on families.

Funding Source: Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Contact: Anne Martin, Dr.P.H.