MIECHV Program

What is MIECHV?

The Maternal, Infant, and Early Child Hood Home Visiting (MIECHV)  Program supports home visiting for expectant and new parents with children up to kindergarten entry age who live in communities that are at-risk for poor maternal and child health outcomes. Families choose to participate in home visiting programs, and partner with health, social service, and child development professionals to set and achieve goals that improve their health and well-being. The program builds upon decades of research showing that home visits during pregnancy and early childhood improve the lives of women, children, and their families.

MIECHV supports implementation of  evidence-based early childhood home visiting models to help pregnant women and families with young children to improve their health and well-being. Evidence-Based Home Visiting (EBHV) programs are an effective early-intervention strategy to improve the health and well-being of children and parents. Home visiting is a strengths-based, family-centered support strategy that gives pregnant women and at-risk families with children from birth until kindergarten entry the resources and skills they need to raise children who are physically, socially, and emotionally healthy and ready to learn.
 
Specific goals of home visiting are to (1) increase healthy pregnancies; (2) improve parenting confidence and competence; (3) improve child health, development, and readiness; and (4) increase family connectedness to community and social support.

The EBHV program models represented by the Georgia MIECHV program are listed below.  These models are proven to improve outcomes in several domains including (1) maternal and child health, (2) positive parenting practices, (3) child development and school readiness, (4) reductions in child maltreatment, (5) family economic self-sufficiency and (7) linkages and referrals to community resources and supports.  Click the icons to learn more about these models.

What are the MIECHV eligibility requirements?

MIECHV is designed to provide assistance to new parents who need consistent, ongoing support during the first years of their child’s life. The early years of parenting are very demanding and there are many conditions that can make it even more difficult to ensure the safety and well-being of an infant and young child.  

  • These conditions typically include one or more of the following situations for parents or primary caregivers:
    • Low income
    • First-time parent
    • Under 21 years of age
    • Unemployed
    • Unstable housing
    • Low educational attainment
    • Late or no prenatal care
    • Survivor of child abuse or neglect
    • History/current substance abuse
    • History/current special education services
    • History/current depression or other mental health conditions
    • Has children with developmental delays or disabilities
    • Families that include individuals who are serving or formerly serving in the US military

In order to determine whether a family would benefit from home visiting, MIECHV implements a service called First Steps Georgia where a professional conducts a screening with a caregiver in order to determine the resources they may need to create the best environment for their family. Referrals based on this screening may include various community resources (e.g., child care options, housing supports, health care assistance, pediatrician suggestions).  When more ongoing support is needed, a referral to a home visiting program may be made.

How can I find a MIECHV program in my community?

Find your local coordinator on the Service Locator to find a MIECHV or other EBHV program, and other maternal and child health programs in your community, or visit HRSA's Home Visiting Locator to find a program near you. 

Women and Children Service Finder

Use this tool to find your local health department.

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page last updated: 7/18/2025