Governor Cuomo Announces $7.7 Million to Support Home Visiting Programs for New and Expecting Families
Governor Cuomo recenlty announced that $7.7 million will be distributed to seven health providers to support pre- and post-natal care for at-risk families. New York secured the funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV)
“For new and expecting parents, having access to high-quality pre
and post natal care is critical,” Governor Cuomo said. “This
funding will go a long toward ensuring that this kind of care is available
through community-based programs for at-risk families across the state.
By supporting these programs, we are providing a vital service to those
in need and working to keep some of the youngest New Yorkers healthy and
strong.”
New York’s MIECHV initiative works to improve the health and wellbeing
of at-risk families by implementing proven home visiting programs. Through
periodic home visits, home visitors assess pregnant women’s health
and social and economic support needs, newborn’s health, school
readiness as well as for the prevention of domestic violence and child
abuse. Home visitors provide support and information to improve birth
outcomes and connect families to needed services. Home visiting programs
help guide families during the critical prenatal, newborn and early childhood
periods. This initiative is a critical component of New York’s work
to ensure that children have the best start possible.
Currently, the MIECHV initiative serves 2,400 families a year through
10 home visiting projects, and with the additional $7.7 million in funding,
it is estimated that seven new home visiting projects will be added to
serve an additional 700 families a year over two-and-a-quarter-years.
The seven new projects are:
Applicant | Target County | Program |
Annual
Award |
Total Award
|
Schenectady County Public Health Service | Schenectady | HFNY | $400,000 |
$900,000
|
Sunset Park Health Council/Lutheran Family Health Centers | Kings | HFNY | $700,000 |
$1,575,000
|
The Institute for Family Health | Dutchess | HFNY | $295,059 |
$663,883
|
Brookdale University Hospital | Kings | HFNY | $382,162 |
$859,865
|
Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Developmental Services, Inc. | Chemung | NFP | $398,498 |
$896,621
|
Montefiore Home Care | Bronx | NFP | $640,000 |
$1,440,000
|
Morris Heights Health Center, Inc. | Bronx | HFNY | $625,000 |
$1,406,250
|
Grand Total | $3,440,719 |
$7,741,618
|
Acting New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “Home
visits by nurses, social workers and other trained professionals have
proven to be very helpful to young families in at-risk situations. By
bringing knowledge and services out into the communities, we are working
to ensure that people have the tools to improve health and prevent abuse
in the home. This award will allow us to expand upon our already successful
programs and help hundreds more families achieve a happier and healthier
home life.”
Senator Charles E. Schumer said, “The Maternal, Infant and Early
Childhood Home Visiting program provides much-needed support, training
and guidance to help at-risk families and expecting mothers better navigate
the earliest days and years of life for a new child. From financial planning
to the prevention of child abuse, the earlier we provide access to essential
services, the better chance our children and young families have to succeed
and thrive – and this smart federal investment will do just that.
I will continue to do all I can deliver resources to help new mothers
and New York’s families succeed.”
Congressman Charles B. Rangel said, "I applaud Governor Cuomo's
commitment to ensuring that mothers have the assistance they need to raise
their children in a safe environment. The vital funding from HHS will
allow New Yorkers to receive essential healthcare and social support through
the new home visiting projects across our state, including two in the
Bronx. By providing basic resources to expecting and new mothers, we are
not only investing in the wellbeing of the family but also helping to
create stability in the home.”
Congressman Eliot Engel said, “The Federal funds the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services has granted to expand New York’s Maternal,
Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program will help bring needed
medical and social services into the homes of many at-risk families who
otherwise would not have easy access to them. Hundreds of New York families
will benefit from this grant and I thank Governor Cuomo for his efforts
to support this program.”
Congressman José E. Serrano said, “Thanks to this federal
funding, more pregnant women and their families in the Bronx will be able
to count on the support they need to have a successful pregnancy, lead
healthy lives, and achieve economic self-sufficiency. They will receive
these services from the comfort of their home, without having to go through
the hassle of getting to a health clinic or doctor’s office. I applaud
the New York State Department of Health’s efforts to expand these
important services that help ensure pregnant women in our community are
safe and supported throughout their pregnancy, and that are so necessary
for our families’ well-being.”
Congressman Jerrold Nadler said, “I have long been a strong supporter
of the Mother, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV),
which provides critical support and guidance to ensure New York families
are healthy, strong, and safe. With this new federal funding, many more
families will have access to these necessary services, and New York will
continue to be a leader in supporting children and families.”
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez said, “These programs ensure
working families in New York can access valuable health and social services.
I’m pleased to see federal resources dedicated to these initiatives,
particularly in Sunset Park.”
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke said, “By expanding access to home
visits by nurses and social workers, Governor Cuomo and the New York State
Department of Health will provide resources to families and children at
a time when those resources – such as health assessments, referrals
for social services, preparation for school, and abuse prevention –
are most critical to the their development. I am committed to collaborating
with Brookdale University Hospital in the Ninth Congressional District
of New York to assure the successful implementation of this invaluable
program.”
Congressman Paul Tonko said, “This announcement is great news for
the most vulnerable families in our communities. Expanded support for
these households will go a long way to meet the most pressing health and
wellness needs of women, newborns, and infants – needs that could
turn into long-term issues for individuals and the community as a whole.
I thank Governor Cuomo for his recognition of the challenges we face in
Schenectady County as the establishment of this center will benefit the
entire Capital Region.”
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said, “The Institute for Family
Health provides a comprehensive approach to maternal and child healthcare
in the Hudson Valley, and this investment is critical to meeting the needs
of our most vulnerable children and families.”
In addition to the grant for the expansion of New York State’s MIECHV,
DOH was also awarded $6.3 million in formula-based federal funding to
allow for the continuation of current programs through 2017.
More information about New York State’s MIECHV is available
here.