Washington, D.C. – Today, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced a bipartisan bill to extend the evidence-based Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program, which is currently set to expire in 10 days. Kris Perry, Executive Director of the First Five Years Fund (FFYF), issued the following statement in response:
“Voluntary home visiting programs have demonstrated measurable benefits for children and families throughout the country. This bipartisan effort to reauthorize MIECHV reaffirms the broad base of support for this effective, evidence-based program across political parties and on both sides of Capitol Hill. With bills now introduced in both the House and Senate, we are confident that lawmakers will come together to reauthorize this critical program that has a proven track record of strengthening families.
“As we look to next steps, we remain grateful to the bipartisan group of lawmakers who have made MIECHV reauthorization a priority, including Republican and Democratic Members on the House Ways and Means Committee and Senators Grassley and Menendez, among others. We’re looking forward to the passage of legislation that reauthorizes MIECHV and helps families and children across the U.S.
“Every parent wants to be their child’s best teacher, and voluntary home visiting services made possible by MIECHV help those with limited support and resources give their babies a strong start in life.
“Republicans and Democrats should come together to support the reauthorization of MIECHV, and we look forward to supporting this effort as legislation moves forward.”
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The First Five Years Fund provides knowledge, data and advocacy – persuading federal policymakers to make investments in the first five years of a child’s life that create greater returns for all. FFYF helps America achieve better results in education, health and economic productivity through investments in quality early childhood education programs for disadvantaged children. http://www.ffyf.org