The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced more than $558 million in funding to improve maternal health, building on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to reducing the nation’s high maternal mortality rate through the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of HHS, is awarding more than $440 million in funding to expand voluntary, evidence-based maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting services for eligible families across the country. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a new investment of $118.5 million, over five years, to 46 states, six territories and freely associated states to continue building the public health infrastructure to better identify and prevent pregnancy-related deaths.
In 2022, President Biden signed bipartisan legislation that doubles funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program over five years – the first expansion of the federal home visiting program in nearly 10 years. Through this program, local organizations can provide home visits from nurses, social workers, and other trained health workers who work with families on early and ongoing engagement in prenatal care and postpartum support. They provide support on breastfeeding, safe sleep for babies, learning and communications practices that promote early language development, developmental screening, getting children ready to succeed in school, and connecting with key services and resources in the community – like affordable childcare or job and educational opportunities. The awards announced today reflect the first opportunity for states and jurisdictions to receive federal matching funds in addition to their base grants.
To read the complete press releases published by the CDC on Aug. 27, 2024, click here.
In fiscal year 2024 (FY24), HRSA awarded $443,980,559 in funding to 56 states, territories, and nonprofit organizations through its MIECHV Program (known as the HRSA Home Visiting Program). This program supports communities to provide voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services to women during pregnancy, and to parents with young children up to kindergarten entry.
The South Dakota Department of Health received $2,033,253
To view the full list of award recipients, click here.
