Government and Regulations
Congressional Act Could Boost Maternity Resources
The Improving Access to Maternity Care Act of 2015 was introduced in Congress to help rectify a shortage of certified nurse midwives,...
Providing $386 million in grants to states, territories, and nonprofit organizations, HHS is continuing to expand evidence-based home visiting services to pregnant women and parents with young children.
Related: Congressional Act Could Boost Maternity Services
The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program currently serves about one-third of the U.S. counties with high rates of low birth weight, teen birth, poverty, and infant mortality. In 2014, the program served 115,000 parents and children; nearly 80% of the families had household incomes at or below the federal poverty level. In announcing the grants, HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said the awards would give states the flexibility to tailor their home visiting programs to address the specific needs of the communities they serve.
Related: All IHS Hospitals Now Baby Friendly
The Home Visiting program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in partnership with the Administration for Children and Families and is one part of President Obama’s Early Learning Initiative.
Related: Protecting Our Children
Mary Wakefield, PhD, RN, administrator of HRSA, said, “Evidence-based home visiting services are proven to help improve maternal and child health, prevent child abuse and neglect, and enhance school readiness.”