Representative Adrian Smith was at Panhandle Public Health District’s Scottsbluff office last Thursday, January 25, 2024, to receive an award for supporting the children and families of the Panhandle through evidence-based home visitation.
Smith sits on the Ways and Means Committee where he has repeatedly supported successful reauthorization of the federal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV, pronounced McVee) program.
“We commend Representative Smith for his ongoing support and leadership of the MIECHV reauthorization as it will continue to have a long-term, positive impact for Panhandle children, families, and communities,” said Kim Engel, Director of PPHD.
Healthy Families America (HFA) is a nationally recognized, evidence-based home visiting program that enhances family well-being, parent-child relationships, and promotes child development. This program has been implemented in the Panhandle since 2011 and currently serves nearly 100 families.
Rigorous studies show HFA results in fewer low-birth-weight babies, reduction in the recurrent of maltreatment, and fewer HFA children have behavioral issues or receive special education services. In addition, fewer HFA families are homeless, and we see increased participation in education and training, more positive mental health, and lower parenting stress for HFA moms.