HR 2343 IH

To expand quality programs of early childhood home visitation that increase school readiness, child abuse and neglect prevention, and early identification of developmental and health delays, including potential mental health concerns, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

May 16, 2007CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois (for himself and Mr. PLATTS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To expand quality programs of early childhood home visitation that increase school readiness, child abuse and neglect prevention, and early identification of developmental and health delays, including potential mental health concerns, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `‘Education Begins at Home Act' of 2008’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) Findings- Congress finds that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the home is the first and most important learning environment for children, and parents are their children'’s first and most influential teacher; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) through parent education and family support, we can promote parents'’ ability to enhance their children'’s development from birth until entry into kindergarten, thereby helping parents to prepare their children for success in school; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) undiagnosed and unaddressed developmental and health problems can impede overall child development and school readiness; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) all parents deserve and can benefit from-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) research-based information regarding child development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) enrichment opportunities with their children; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) early opportunities to become involved with their communityies and schools; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) early childhood home visitation leads to positive outcomes for children and families, including readiness for school, improved child health and development, positive parenting practices, and reductions in child maltreatment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Purposes- The purposes of this Act are as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) To enable States, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, territories, or possessions to deliver quality programs of early childhood home visitation to pregnant women and parents of children from birth until entry into kindergarten in order to promote positive outcomes for children and families including: readiness for school, improved child health and development, positive parenting practices, reductions in child maltreatment, and enhanced parenting abilities to support their children'’s optimal cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) To improve Early Head Start programs carried out under section 645A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a).(3) To expand quality programs of early childhood home visitation so as to more effectively reach and serve families with English language learners. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(43) To expand quality programs of early childhood home visitation so as to more effectively reach and serve families serving in the military. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(54) To establish a public education and awareness campaign concerning the importance of the proper care of infants and young children. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ELIGIBLE FAMILY- The term `eligible family'‘eligible family’ means-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a woman who is pregnant and the father of the child if the father is available; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a parent or primary caregiver of a child under the age of entry into kindergarten, including grandparents or other relatives of the child, and foster parents (including kinship caregivers), who are serving as the primary caregiver from birth until entry into kindergarten, including a, including a noncustodial parent who has an on-going relationship with and, at times, provides physical care for such child. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER- The term ‘English language learner’, used with respect to an individual, means an individual-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) who-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii)(I) is a Native American (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)), an Alaska Native, or a native resident of an outlying area (as defined in such section 9101); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the individual’s level of English language proficiency; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) is migratory, whose native language is a language other than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) whose difficulties in speaking or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny such individual-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the ability to successfully achieve in a classroom in which the language of instruction is English; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the opportunity to participate fully in society. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) HOME VISITATION- The term `home visitation'‘home visitation’ means services provided in the permanent or temporary residence, or in a mutually agreed upon location in the community, of the individual receiving such services. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(34) INDIAN TRIBE- The term `Indian tribe'‘Indian tribe’ has the meaning given such term in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(45) SECRETARY- Except as provided in section 86, the term `Secretary'‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(56) STATE- The term `State'‘State’ means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(67) TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS- The term `territories and possessions'‘territories and possessions’ shall include American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(78) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION- The term `tribal organization'‘tribal organization’ has the meaning given the term in section 4(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. GRANTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITATION.

(a) Authorization- The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall make grants to States, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, territories and possessions to enable States, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, territories and possessions to establish or expand quality programs of early childhood home visitation as specified under subsection (fe). Each grant shall consist of the allotment determined under subsection (b). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Determination of Reservations; Amount of Allotments; Authorization of Appropriations- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) RESERVATIONS FROM APPROPRIATIONS- From the total amount made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) 3 percent for an independent evaluation of the activities carried out under this Act, as specified in section 87; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) not more than 3 percent for Federal administrative costs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) not more than 2 percent of the funds appropriated for any fiscal year for payments to Indian tribes or tribal organizations with an approved application under this section; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) not more than 1/2 of 1 percent of the funds appropriated for any fiscal year for payments to territories and possessions with an approved application under this section; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) 2 percent for training and technical assistance for States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) STATE ALLOTMENTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITATION- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- In accordance with subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall allot among each of the eligible States the total amount made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year and not reserved under paragraph (1), to carry out early childhood home visitationsupport early childhood home visitation programs in accordance with this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) DETERMINATION OF STATE ALLOTMENTS- The Secretary shall allot the amount made available under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year among the eligible States in proportion to the number of children, aged from birth tohrough 5 years from families whose income is below the poverty line, who reside within the State, compared to the number of such individuals who reside in all such States for that fiscal year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PAYMENTS TO TRIBES AND TERRITORIES- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Out of the funds reserved under paragraph (1)(AC), the Secretary shall provide funds to each Indian tribe or tribal organization with an approved application under this section in accordance with the respective needs described in that application. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Out of the funds reserved under paragraph (1)(BD), the Secretary shall provide funds to each territory or possession with an approved application under this section in accordance with the respective needs described in that application. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) APPLICATIONS OF INDIAN TRIBES, TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS, TERRITORIES, OR POSSESSIONS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall approve an application of an Indian tribe, tribal organization, territory, or possession based on the quality of the application. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) The Secretary may exempt an application submitted by an Indian tribe, tribal organization, territory, or possession from any requirement of this section that the sSecretary determines would be inappropriate to apply taking into account the resources, needs, and other circumstances of the iIndian tribe, tribal organization territory, or possession with the exception of the provision of quality early childhood home visitation as outlined in section (5)(f)(1), reporting requirements detailed in paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 5(h), and participation in the independent evaluation outlined in section 97. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There isare authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $400,000,000 for the period of150,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 200810 through 20103. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Grant Applications- A State, Indian tribe, tribal organization, territory, or possession that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. For the purposes of this subsection, the term ‘State’ includes Indian tribes, tribal organizations, territories, or possessions. The application shall contain the following information: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) An assurance that the Governor of the State has designated a lead State agency, such as the State educational agency or the State health and human services agency, to carry out the activities under this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) An assurance that the State will reserve 3 percent of such grant for evaluation and will participate in the independent evaluation under section 97. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) An assurance that the State will reserve 10 percent of the grant funds for training and technical assistance of staff ofto programs of early childhood home visitation. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) An assurance that the State will authorize child care resource and referral agencies to refer parents seeking home visitation services. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) An assurance that in supporting early childhood home visitation programs under this section the State shall identify and prioritize serving communities that are in high need of such services, such as communities with-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) low student achievement; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) high rates of teen pregnancy; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) high proportions of low income families; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) high incidences of child abuse; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) high rates of children with developmental delays or disabilities; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) large concentrations of individuals who are English language learners; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) large concentrations of individuals currently serving in the Armed Forces; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) large concentrations of individuals who formerly served in the Armed Forces. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The results of a statewide needs assessment that describes-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the quality and capacity of existing programs of early childhood home visitation in the State; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the number and types of eligible families who are receiving services under such programs; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the gaps in early childhood home visitation in the State.(6, including identification of communities that are in high need of such services. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) A State plan containing the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) A description of the State's strategy to establish or expand quality programs of’s plan to prioritize establishing or expanding high quality programs of early childhood home visitation to serve all eligible families in the Stateprograms in communities that are in high need of such programs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) A description of the quality programs of early childhood home visitation that will be supported by a grant under this section.(C) high quality programs of early childhood home visitation that will be supported by a grant under this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) A description of how the proposed program of early childhood home visitation will promote positive parenting skills and children'’s early learning and development. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) A description of how the proposed program of early childhood home visitation will incorporate the authorized activities described in subsection (fe). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) How the lead State agency will build on and promote coordination among existing programs of early childhood home visitation in an effort to promote an array of home visitation that ensuresprograms to ensure more eligible families are being served and are getting the most appropriate services to meet their needs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) How the lead State agency will promote collaboration among a broad range of child- and family-serving programs, including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) early childhood home visitation programs;(ii) early childhood care and, including targeted grants awarded under sections 5 and 6; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) early childhood care and education programs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) early childhood intervention programsactivities carried out under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) and section 619 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) child abuse prevention and treatment programs, and State and local child protection systems; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) Medicaid and State Children'’s Health Insurance programs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) nutrition assistance programs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vii) parental substance abuse and mental health prevention and treatment programs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(viii) domestic and family violence prevention programs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ix) child support enforcement programs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(x) workforce development programs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(xi) the State Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





and(xii) other (xii) early childhood intervention programs, such as mental health prevention and treatment services; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(xiii) State and local educational agencies; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(xiv) other appropriate child-serving programs in the State in order to facilitate the coordinated delivery of services for eligible families. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) How the lead State agency will provide for the training and technical assistance to staff of programs of early childhood home visitation involved in activities under this section to more effectively meet the needs of the eligible families served, with sensitivity to cultural variations in parenting norms and attitudes toward formal support services and parenting norms. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) How the lead State agency will evaluate the activities supported under this section in order to assess outcomes related to the enhancement ofincluding, but not limited to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) parental outcomes related to child health and development, including parent knowledge of early learning and development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) child health, cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development indicators;(iii) child maltreatment indicators for child abuse and neglect prevention; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) child maltreatment; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) school readiness indicators; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) links to community services. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) A description of how the lead State agency will ensure that the home visitation programs will conducthome visitation programs prioritize outreach activities to target both mothers and fathers, and increase father involvementfathers and include fathers in the program where safe and appropriate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) A description of how the lead State agency will increase home visitation programs participation rates for fathers.(K) A description of how the lead State agency will ensure that services are made available under the program to grandparents, other relatives or foster parents, of a child from birth through age 5 who serve as the primary caregiver of the child. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(LK) Such other information as the Secretary may require. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Approval of Applications- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall approve an application under this section based on the recommendations of a peer review panel, as described in paragraph (2). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





The panel shall recommend applicants to the Secretary based on the quality of their applications. In addition to ensuring that the application is complete, the panel shall consider the quality of the needs assessment, described in subsection (c)(5); the quality of the programs to be funded by the grant, described in subsection (c)(6)(B) and the quality of the plan for collaboration described in subsections (c)(6)(E) and (c)(6)(F). In assessing the quality of the programs to be funded, the panel shall give consideration to recommending some applicants that will fund programs that incorporate comparison or control groups in their service delivery model, recognizing that not all quality programs will be able to do so but that having some such programs would contribute to the evaluations required in subsection (c)(6)(H) and section 9.(2) PEER REVIEW PANEL- The peer review panel shall include not lessindividuals with experience in varying models of home visitation, including not fewer than-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) 3 individuals who are experts in the field of home visitation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) 2 individuals who are experts in early childhood development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) 1 individual with expertise implementing a statewide program of early childhood home visitation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) 1 individual who is a board certified pediatrician or a developmental pediatrician; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) 1 individual with experience in administering public or private (including community-based) child maltreatment prevention programs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Duration of Grants- Grants made under this section shall be for a period of no more than 3 years.(f3) RECOMMENDATIONS- The panel shall recommend applicants to the Secretary based on the quality of their applications. In addition to ensuring that the application is complete, the panel shall consider-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the quality of the statewide needs assessment, described in subsection (c)(6); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the quality of the programs to be funded by the grant, described in subsection (c)(7)(B), and the capacity of such programs to establish or expand high quality home visitation services; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the plan to enhance and improve services in the State through collaboration described in subsections (c)(7)(E) and (c)(7)(F); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the State’s plan to prioritize serving communities in high need of home visitation programs; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the State’s plan for delivering effective training and technical assistance. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) State Uses of Funds- Each State that receives a grant under this section shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) provide to as many eligible families in the State as practicable, voluntary early childhood home visitation, on not less frequently than a monthly basis with greater frequency of services for those eligible families identified with additional needs, through the implementation of high quality programs of early childhood home visitation that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) adopts a clear, consistent model that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) is research-based; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) is grounded in empirically-based knowledge related to home visiting and child health or child development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) is linked to program-determined outcomes; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) employsiv) is associated with a national organization or institution of higher education (as defined under section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965), that has comprehensive home visitation program standards, including standardized training and on-going professional development, that ensure high quality service delivery and continuous program quality improvement; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) has been evaluated, and the results of the evaluation have been published in a peer-reviewed journal; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) has been in existence at least 3 consecutive years prior to the program being funded under this Act; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) employ well-trained and competent staff, as demonstrated by education or training, and the provision of ongoing and specific training on the model being delivered; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) maintains high quality supervision to establishhat supports home visitor competencies; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) shows strong organizational capacity to implement the program involved; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) establishes appropriate linkages and referral networks to other community resources and supports; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) monitors fidelity of program implementation to assure that services are delivered according to the specified model; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) establishes procedures to ensurpromote participation of fathers, where safe and appropriate; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) are research-based, that provides and provide parents with-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) knowledge of age -appropriate child development in cognitive, language, social-emotional, and motor domains (including knowledge of second language acquisition, in the case of English language learners); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) knowledge of realistic expectations of age-appropriate child behaviors; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) knowledge of health and wellness issues for children and parents; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) modeling, consulting, and coaching on parenting practices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) skills to interact with their child to enhance age-appropriate development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) skills to recognize and seek help for issues related to health, developmental delays, and social, emotional, and behavioral skills; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vii) activities designed to help parents become full partners in the education of their children; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(viii) relevant information, consistent with State child welfare agency training, concerning child welfare and protective services resources if appropriate; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) ascertains what health and developmental services the family receives and work with these providers with providers of such services to eliminate gaps in service by offering annual health, vision, hearing, and developmental screening for children from birth to entry into kindergarten, when not otherwise provided; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) provides referrals for eligible families, as needed, to additional resources available in the community, such as center-based early education programs, child care services, health or mental health services, family literacy programs, employment agencies, social services, fatherhood programs, and child care resource and referral agencies; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) offers group meetings (at program discretion) for eligible families that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) further enhance the information, activities, and skill-building addressed during home visitation; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) offer opportunities for parents to meet with and support each other. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) reserve 10 percent of the grant funds to provide training and technical assistance, directly or through contract, to early childhood home visitation and early childhood care and education staff programs relating to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) effective methods of implementing parent education, conducting home visiting, and promoting qualitypositive early childhood development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the relationship of health and well-being of pregnant women to prenatal and early childhood development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) early childhood development with respect to children from birth until entry into kindergarten; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) methods to help parents promote emergent literacy, including second language acquisition for English language learners, in their children from birth until entry into kindergarten; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) health, vision, hearing, and developmental screenings; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) strategies for helping eligible families with special needs or those eligible families coping with crisis; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) recruiting, supervising, and retaining qualified staff; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) increasing services for underserved populations; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) methods to help parents effectively respond to their children'’s needs and behaviors; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) implementation of ongoing program quality improvement and evaluation of activities and outcomes; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) relevant issues related to child welfare and protective services, with information provided being consistent with stateState or local child welfare agency training; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(L) effective methods of successfully engaging fathers in programs for parents; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(M) the relationship of father involvement to the health and well-being of pregnant women and to prenatal and early childhood development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ensure collaboration among child-serving programs through an existing or createdrepresentatives from high quality programs of early childhood home visitation operating in the State are included in an existing State-level early childhood coordinating body, such as the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Care and Education (as defined in section 642B(b) of the Head Start Act), that meets regularly to address policy and implementation issues that will improve the coordination and effectiveness of a range of services for children and families, especially those receiving home visitation services, and such coordinating body shall include--(A) representatives from quality programs of early childhood home visitation;(B) representatives from early childhood education and care programs, including the state agency responsible for administering the Child Care and Development Block Grant, the State Head Start collaboration director, the State child care resource and referral office, and representatives from State Head Start Associations;(C) representatives of early intervention programs, such as the State official responsible for carrying out activities under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) and the State official responsible for carrying out activities under section 619 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419);(D) representatives from child welfare programs, including the State agency responsible for carrying out the plan under section 106 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5106 et seq.) and the State agency responsible for administering titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act;(E) representatives from children's health insurance programs, including the State agency administering titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act;(F) representatives from nutrition programs, such as Food Stamps (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (42 U.S.C. 1786) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (42 U.S.C. 1766 );(G) representatives from substance abuse and mental health prevention and treatment programs, including the State agency responsible for administering the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (42 U.S.C. 300x-21 et seq.) and the State agency responsible for administering the Mental Health Services Block Grant (42 U.S.C. 300x-1 et seq.);(H) representatives from domestic and family violence prevention programs;(I) representatives from the State child support enforcement program responsible for administering title IV-D of the Social Security Act;(J) representatives from workforce development programs, including the State-level and local Workforce Investment Boards (20 U.S.C. 9201 et seq.);(K) representatives from the State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program administering title IV-A of the Social Security Act;(L) representatives of other child-serving programs, including the State agency responsible for administering title XX of the Social Security Act; and(M) a board certified pediatrician or a developmental pediatrician; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) not expenduse not more than 5 percent of the amount of grant funds received under this section for the administration of the grant, including planning, administration, and annual reporting. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(gf) Maintenance of Effort- A State is entitled to receive its full allotment of funds under this section for any fiscal year if the Secretary finds that the aggregate expenditures within the State for quality programs of early childhood home visitation for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the determination is made was not less than 100 percent of such aggregate expenditures for the second fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the determination is made. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) g)(1) State Match- In order to receive an allotment under subsection (b)(2), a State shall match the amount of such allotment with funds not derived from other Federal sources on the following basis: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) 10 percent of such allotment for fiscal year 2011; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) 20 percent of such allotment for fiscal year 2012; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) 30 percent of such allotment for fiscal year 2013. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Match Requirement- The funds resulting from the requirement in paragraph (1) shall be exported in accordance with the requirements of this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Reporting Requirements- Each State that receives a grant under this section shall submit an annual report to the Secretary regarding the State'’s progress in addressing the purposes of this Act. Such report shall include, at a minimum, a description of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) actual service delivery provided under the grant including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) program characteristics, including descriptive information on the service model used and actual program performance; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) provider characteristics, including staff qualifications, work experience, and demographic characteristics; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) recipient characteristics, including number, demographic characteristics, and family retention; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) recipient outcomes that are consistent with program goals, including, where appropriate given the program being evaluated-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) parent knowledge of early learning and development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) child health, cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical developmental indicators; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) child maltreatment indicators, for child abuse and neglect prevention; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) school readiness indicators; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) links to community services; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the research-based instruction, materials, and activities being used in the activities funded under the grant; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the effectiveness of the training and technical assistance, including ongoing professional development provided--(A) to staff, provided to programs supported under the grant; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





and(B) to the broader early childhood community;(5) beginning at the end of the second year of the grant, the results of evaluations described in subsection (c)(67)(H); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) the annual program implementation costs, including the cost for eachper family served under the program. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. STRENGTHENING EARLY HEAD START HOME VISITATION.Section 645A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a) is amended--(1) in subsection (b)--(A) in paragraph (4), by striking `provide services to parents to support their role as parents' and inserting `provide additional services to parents to support their role as parents (including training in parenting skills, basic child development, and sensitivity to cultural variations in parenting norms and attitudes toward formal supports)';(B) in paragraph (5)--(i) by inserting `(including home-based services)' after `with services'; and(ii) by inserting `, and family support services' after `health services';(C) by redesignating paragraphs (7), (8), and (9) as paragraphs (9), (10), and (11), respectively; and(D) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:`(7) develop and implement a systematic procedure for transitioning children and parents from an Early Head Start program into a Head Start program or another local early childhood education program;`(8) establish channels of communication between staff of Early Head Start programs and staff of Head Start programs or other local early childhood education programs, to facilitate the coordination of programs;';(2) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking clause (iv) and inserting the following:`(iv) providing professional development and personnel enhancement activities, including the provision of funds to recipients of grants under subsection (a), relating to effective methods of implementing parent education, conducting home visiting, and promoting quality early childhood development.'; and(3) by adding at the end the following:`(h) Staff Qualifications and Development-`(1) HOME VISITOR STAFF-`(A) STANDARDS- In order to further enhance the quality of home visiting services provided to families of children participating in home-based, center-based, or combination program options under this subchapter, the Secretary shall establish standards for training, qualifications, and the conduct of home visits for home visitor staff in Early Head Start programs.`(B) CONTENTS- The standards for training, qualifications, and the conduct of home visits shall include content related to--`(i) structured child-focused home visiting that promotes parents' ability to support the child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development;`(ii) effective strengths-based parent education, including methods to encourage parents as their child's first teachers;`(iii) early childhood development with respect to children from birth through age 3;`(iv) methods to help parents promote emergent literacy in their children from birth through age 3;`(v) ascertaining what health and developmental services the family receives and working with these providers to eliminate gaps in service by offering annual health, vision, hearing, and developmental screening for children from birth to entry into kindergarten, when needed;`(vi) strategies for helping families coping with crisis; and`(vii) the relationship of health and well-being of pregnant women to prenatal and early child development.'.SEC. 6. TARGETED GRANTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITATION FOR FAMILIES WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

(a) In General- The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible applicants to enable such applicants to support and expand local efforts to deliver services under quality programs of early childhood home visitation to eligible families with English languagethrough quality programs of early childhood home visitation to eligible families with English language learners. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Eligible Applicant- In this section, the term `eligible applicant'‘eligible applicant’ means-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) 1 or more local educational agencies (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)); and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) 1 or more public or private community-based organizations or agencies that serve eligible families and are capable of establishing and implementing high quality programs of early childhood home visitation. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Applications- An eligible applicant that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. The application shall include a description of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the results of a communitywide needs assessment that demonstrates the need for services to eligible families with English language learners and describes-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) community demographics demonstrating the need for outreach and services to eligible families with English language learners;(B) the quality ; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the quality and capacity of existing programs of early childhood home visitation for eligible families with English language learners in the community; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the gaps in programs of early childhood home visitation for eligible families with English language learners in the community; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the type of program of early childhood home visitation necessary to address the gaps identified; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the program of early childhood home visitation that will be supported by the grant under this section; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) how the proposed program of early childhood home visitation will promote positive parenting skills and children'’s early learning and development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) how the proposed program of early childhood home visitation will incorporate the authorized activities described in subsection (fe); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) how services provided through a grant under this section will use materials that are geared towardappropriate for eligible families with English language learners; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) how the activities under this section will build on and promote coordination among existing programs of early childhood home visitation, if such programs exist in the community, in an effort to promote an array of home visitation that ensures more eligible families with English language learners are being served and are getting the most appropriate services to meet their needs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) how the program will ensure that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) eligible families with English language learners are linked to schoolswhere appropriate to the program goals of the home visiting model, families participating in early childhood home visitation programs with English language learners will be introduced to and connected with their local schools to encourage ongoing parental involvement in their children’s education; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the activities under this section will support the preparation of children for school; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) how channels of communication will be established between staff of programs of early childhood home visitation and staff of other early childhood education programs, such as Head Start programs carried out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) and Early Head Start programs carried out under section 645A of such Act, preschool programs, and child care programs, to facilitate the coordination of services for eligible families with English language learners; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) how eligible families with English language learners will be recruited and retained to receive services under this section; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) how training and technical assistance will be provided to help the staff of programs of early childhood home visitation involved in activities under this section to more effectively serve eligible families with English language learners; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) how the eligible applicant will evaluate the activities supported under this section in order to demonstrate outcomes related to the-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) increase in number of eligible families with English language learners served by programs of early childhood home visitation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) enhancement of participating parents' parental knowledge of early learning and development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) enhancement of positive parenting practices related to early learning and development; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) enhancement of children'children’s cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) how the proposed program will conduct outreach activities to target both mothers and fathers and increase father involvement where safe and appropriate; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(13) such other information as the Secretary may require. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Approval of Applications- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall select applicants for funding under this section based on the quality of the applications and the recommendations of a peer review panel, as described in paragraph (2). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PEER REVIEW PANEL- The peer review panel shall include not lessfewer than-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) 2 individuals who are experts in the field of home visitation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) 2 individuals who are experts in early childhood development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) 2 individuals who are experts in serving eligible families with English language learners; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) 1 individual who is a board certified pediatrician or a developmental pediatrician; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) 1 individual with expertise in administering public or private (including community-based) child maltreatment prevention programs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Duration of Grants- Grants made under this section shall be for a period of no more than 3 years.(f) Authorized Activities- Each eligible applicant that receives a grant under this section shall carry out the following activities: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Providing to as many eligible families with English language learners as practicable, voluntary early childhood home visitation, on not less frequently than a monthly basis, through the implementation of quality programs of early childhood home visitation that are research-based that provide parents with-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) knowledge of age -appropriate child development in cognitive, language, social-emotional, and motor domains; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) knowledge of realistic expectations of age-appropriate child behaviors; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) knowledge of health and wellness issues for children and parents; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) modeling, consulting, and coaching on parenting practices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) skills to interact with their child to enhance age-appropriate development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) skills to recognize and seek help for issues related to health, developmental delays, and social, emotional, and behavioral skills; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) activities designed to help parents become full partners in the education of their children. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Ascertaining what health and developmental services the family receives and working with these providers to eliminate gaps in service by offering annual health, vision, hearing, and developmental screening for children from birth to entry into kindergarten, when not otherwise provided. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Providing referrals for participating eligible families with English language learners, as needed, to additional resources available in the community, such as center-based early education programs, child care services, health or mental health services, family literacy programs, employment agencies, social services, and child care resource and referral agencies. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Offering group meetings (at program discretion), on not less frequently than a monthly basis, for eligible families with English language learners that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) further enhance the information, activities, and skill-building addressed during home visitation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) offer opportunities for parents to meet with and support each other; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) address challenges facing eligible families with English language learners. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Providing training and technical assistance to early childhood home visitation and early childhood care and education staff relating to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) effective service to eligible families with English language learners, including skills to address challenges facing English language learners; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) effective methods of implementing parent education, conducting home visiting, and promoting quality early childhood development, with sensitivity to cultural variations in parenting norms and attitudes toward formal support services; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the relationship of health and well-being of pregnant women to prenatal and early child development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) early childhood development with respect to children from birth until entry into kindergarten; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) methods to help parents promote emergent literacy in their children from birth until entry into kindergarten; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) implementing strategies for helping eligible families with English language learners coping with a crisis; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) recruiting, supervising, and retaining qualified staff; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) increasing services for underserved eligible families with English language learners; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) methods to help parents effectively respond to their children'’s needs and behaviors; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) implementation of ongoing program quality improvement and evaluation of activities and outcomes; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) the relationship of father involvement to the health and well-being of pregnant women and to prenatal and early childhood development. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Coordinating existing programs of early childhood home visitation in order to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of more eligible families with English language learners. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(gf) Reporting Requirements- Each applicant that receives a grant under this section to carry out a program shall submit an annual report to the Secretary, and the lead State agency as described in section 4(c)(1), regarding the progress of such program in addressing the purposes of this Act. Such report shall include, at a minimum, a description of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) actual service delivery provided under the grant including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) program characteristics including descriptive information on the service model used and actual program performance; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) provider characteristics including staff qualifications, work experience, and demographic characteristics; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) recipient characteristics including number, demographic characteristics, and family retentionrates of family retention in programs; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) an estimate of annual program implementation costs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) recipient outcomes that are consistent with program goals including, where appropriate given the program being evaluated-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) parental practices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) child health and development indicators; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) child maltreatment indicators; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) school readiness indicators; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) links to community services; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the research-based instruction, materials, and activities being used in the activities funded under the grant; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the effectiveness of the training and technical assistance, including ongoing professional development provided--(A) to staff supported under the grant; and(B) to the broader early childhood community.(h) , provided to programs supported under the grant. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Supplement Not Supplant- Grant funds provided under this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, Federal and non-Federal funds available for carrying out the activities described in this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ih) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for the period of20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums for fiscal years 200810 through 20103. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 76. TARGETED GRANTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITATION FOR MILITARY FAMILIES.

(a) In General- The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible applicants to enable such applicants to support and expand efforts to deliver services under quality programs of early childhood home visitation to eligible families with a family member in the Armed through high quality programs of early childhood home visitation to eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Eligible Applicant- In this section, the term `eligible applicant'‘eligible applicant’ means any of the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) A local educational agency that receives payments under title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) A school of the defense dependents'’ education system under the Defense Dependents'’ Education Act of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 921 et seq.). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) A school established undersection 2164 of title 10, United States Code. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) A community-based organization serving families with a family member in the Armed Forces. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Applications- An eligible applicant that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary of Defense at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Defense may require. The application shall include a description of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the results of a communitywide needs assessment that demonstrates the need for services to eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces and describes-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) community demographics demonstrating the need for outreach and services to eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the quality and capacity of existing programs of early childhood home visitation for eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the gaps in programs of early childhood home visitation for eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the type of program of early childhood home visitation necessary to address the gaps identified; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the program of early childhood home visitation that will be supported by the grant under this section; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) how the proposed program of early childhood home visitation will promote positive parenting skills and children'’s early learning and development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) how the proposed program of early childhood home visitation will incorporate the authorized activities described in subsection (f); CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) how services provided through a grant under this section will use materials that are geared appropriate toward eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) how the activities under this section will build on and promote coordination with existing programs of early childhood home visitation, if such programs exist in the community, in an effort to promote an array of home visitation that ensures more eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces are being served and are getting the most appropriate services to meet their needs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) how the program will ensure that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces are linked to schoolswhere appropriate to the program goals of the home visiting model, families participating in early childhood home visitation programs with a family member in the Armed Forces will be introduced to and connected with their local schools to encourage ongoing parental involvement in their children’s education; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the activities under this section will support the preparation of children for school; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) how channels of communication will be established between staff of programs of early childhood home visitation and staff of other early childhood education programs, such as Head Start programs carried out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) and Early Head Start programs carried out under section 645A of such Act, preschool programs, family support programs, and child care programs, to facilitate the coordination of services for eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) how eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces will be recruited and retained to receive services under this section; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) how training and technical assistance will help staff of programs of early childhood home visitationbe provided to help programs of early childhood home visitation involved in activities under this section to more effectively serve eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) how the eligible applicant will evaluate the activities supported under this section in order to demonstrate outcomes related to the-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) increase in number of eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces served by programs of early childhood home visitation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) enhancement of participating parents'parental knowledge of early learning and development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) enhancement of positive parenting practices related to early learning and development; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) enhancement of children'children’s cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) how the proposed program will conduct outreach activities to target both mothers and fathers and increase father involvement where safe and appropriate; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(13) such other information as the Secretary of Defense may require. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Approval of Local Applications- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Defense shall select applicants for funding under this section based on the quality of the applications and the recommendations of a peer review panel, as described in paragraph (2). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PEER REVIEW PANEL- The peer review panel shall include not lessfewer than-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) 2 individuals who are experts in the field of home visitation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) 2 individuals who are experts in early childhood development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) 2 individuals who are experts in family support for military families; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) 1 individual who is a board certified pediatrician or developmental pediatrician; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) 1 individual with expertise in administering public or private (including community-based) child maltreatment prevention programs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Duration of Grants- Grants made under this section shall be for a period of no more than 3 years.(f) Authorized Activities- Each eligible applicant that receives a grant under this section shall carry out the following activities: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Providing to as many eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces as practicable, voluntary early childhood home visitation, on not less frequently than a monthly basis, through the implementation of quality programs of early childhood home visitation that are research-based and that provide parents with-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) knowledge of age -appropriate child development in cognitive, language, social-emotional, and motor domains; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) knowledge of realistic expectations of age-appropriate child behaviors; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) knowledge of health and wellness issues for children and parents; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) modeling, consulting, and coaching on parenting practices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) skills to interact with their child to enhance age-appropriate development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) skills to recognize and seek help for issues related to health, developmental delays, and social, emotional, and behavioral skills; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) activities designed to help parents become full partners in the education of their children. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Ascertaining what health and developmental services the family receives and working with these providers to eliminate gaps in service by offering annual health, vision, hearing, and developmental screening for children from birth to entry into kindergarten, when not otherwise provided. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Providing referrals for participating eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces, as needed, to additional resources available in the community, such as center-based early education programs, child care services, health or mental health services, family literacy programs, employment agencies, social services, and child care resource and referral agencies. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Offering group meetings (at program discretion), on not less frequently than a monthly basis, for eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) further enhance the information, activities, and skill-building addressed during home visitation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) offer opportunities for parents to meet with and support each other; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) address challenges facing eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Providing training and technical assistance to early childhood home visitation and early childhood care and education staff relating to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) effective service to eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) effective methods of implementing parent education, conducting home visiting, and promoting quality early childhood development, with sensitivity to cultural variations in parenting norms and attitudes toward formal support services; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the relationship of health and well-being of pregnant women to prenatal and early child development; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) early childhood development with respect to children from birth until entry into kindergarten; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) methods to help parents promote emergent literacy in their children from birth until entry into kindergarten; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) implementing strategies for helping eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces coping with crisis; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) recruiting, supervising, and retaining qualified staff; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) increasing services for underserved eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) methods to help parents effectively respond to their children'’s needs and behaviors; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) implementation of ongoing program quality improvement and evaluation of activities and outcomes; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) the relationship of father involvement to the health and well-being of pregnant women and to prenatal and early childhood development. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Coordinating existing programs of early childhood home visitation in order to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of more eligible families with a family member in the Armed Forces. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(gf) Reporting Requirements- Each applicant that receives a grant under this section to carry out a program shall submit an annual report to the Secretary, and the lead State agency as described in section 4(c)(1), regarding the progress of such program in addressing the purposes of this Act. Such report shall include, at a minimum, a description of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) actual service delivery provided under the grant including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) program characteristics including descriptive information on the service model used and actual program performance; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) provider characteristics including staff qualifications, work experience, and demographic characteristics; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) recipient characteristics including number, demographic characteristics, and family retention; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) an estimate of annual program implementation costs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) recipient outcomes that are consistent with program goals including, where appropriate given the program being evaluated-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) parental practices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) child health and development indicators; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) child maltreatment indicators; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) school readiness indicators; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) links to community services; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the research-based instruction, materials, and activities being used in the activities funded under the grant; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the effectiveness of the training and technical assistance, including ongoing professional development provided--(A) to staff supported under the grant; and(B) to the broader early childhood community.(h) , provided to programs supported under the grant. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Supplement Not Supplant- Grant funds provided under this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, Federal and non-Federal funds available for carrying out the activities described in this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ih) Authorization of Appropriations- There isare authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for the period of20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 200810 through 20103. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 87. EVALUATION.

(a) In General- From funds reserved under section 54(b)(1)(A), the Secretary shall conduct, through grant or contract, an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of this Act.(b) home visitation programs carried out under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Reports- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INTERIM REPORT- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit an interim report on the evaluation conducted pursuant to subsection (a) to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) FINAL REPORT- Not later than 34 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a final report on the evaluation conducted pursuant to subsection (a) to the committees described in paragraph (1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Contents- The reports submitted under subsection (b) shall include information on the following:(1) How the grant funds have expanded access to early childhood home visitation including--(A) demonstrating that programs funded reflect the quality indicators outlined in section 5(f)(1); and(B) documenting the service delivery indicators, as outlined in section 5(h)(1), across all recipients receiving grants with attention to the number of families served and the level of service received.(2) How the States affect outcomesStudy- The independent evaluation conducted under this section shall examine the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The effect of home visiting programs on child and parent outcomes, consistent with program goals, including, where appropriate given the program being evaluated, parental outcomes related to child health and development, parenting practices, child health and development, child maltreatment, school readiness, and links to community services. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(32) The effectiveness of early childhood home visitation on different populations, including the extent to which variability exists in program ability to improve outcomes across programs and populations, such as families with English language learners and families with a family member in the Armed Forces.(4) Descriptions of the technical assistance and training actually provided and the nature of the populations receiving this assistance.(5) The effectiveness of the training and technical assistance activitie. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) In General- The Secretary shall annually provide a report to the Committee on Education and Labor in the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in the Senate, information on the activities carried out under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Content- The reports submitted under this section shall, at a minimum, include information about the programs carried out under this Act, including information on the following: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) descriptions of the high need communities targeted by States for programs carried out under this Act; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the service delivery models funded under this Act, including the effects of; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) program characteristics, including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) staff qualifications and demographic characteristics; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) recipient characteristics including the number of families served, the demographic characteristics of the families served, and family retention and duration of services; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) program-reported outcomes; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) the findings from State evaluations; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) the research-based instruction, materials, and activities being used in the activities funded under the grant; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) the training and technical assistance activities on program performance and agency-level collaboration.(6) Recommendations on strengthening or modifying this Actctivities, including on-going professional development, provided to programs; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) the annual program implementation costs, including the cost per family served under the program. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 9. SUPPORTING NEW PARENTS THROUGH HOSPITAL EDUCATION.

(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the `Secretary') shall shall develop and implement a public information and educational campaign to inform the public and new parents about the importance of proper care for infants and children under 5 years of age, including healthy parent-child relationships, the demands and stress associated with caring for infants, positive responses to infants'’ challenging behaviors including awareness of their social, emotional, and physical needs, awareness of the vulnerability of young children to abusive practices, and the signs and treatment of post-partum depression. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Elements- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The campaign developed under subsection (a) shall include the following elements: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) The dissemination of educational and informational materials in print, audio, video, electronic, and other media. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) The use of public service announcements and advertisements. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) The dissemination of effective child abuse prevention practices and techniques, including information about research-based home visiting programs, respite care, crisis nurseries, and parent support networks, to parents, caregivers, maternity hospitals, children's hospitals, pediatricians, child carechildren’s hospitals, pediatricians, child care centers, organizations providing prenatal and postnatal care, and organizations providing parenting education and support services. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Connection to existing parental involvement programs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PREVENTION PRACTICES- In carrying out paragraph (1)(C) through the campaign under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that every hospital, military hospital, and birth center receiving these materials requests that each maternity patient and father of a newborn child, if available, participate in a single session parenting class, that is approved by the Secretary, on the vulnerabilities of their infant to abusive practices, as well as the importance of proper care for infants and young children, and the symptoms of abusive head and other injuries, and strategies for caring for infants' social, emotional, and physical needs. After participating in the class, the hospital or birth center shall request that such patient or father sign a form stating that they have participated or refused to participate in the parenting class.(3) EXISTING PROGRAMS- The implementation and execution ofSecretary, in implementing and executing the public information and educational campaign under this section, should seek collaboration with and referrals to existing parental involvement programs that specialize in strengthening children'’s cognitive skills, early literacy skills, social or emotional and physical development and existing prenatal and early childhood home visitation programs. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(43) EXISTING STATE REQUIREMENTS- The implementation and execution ofSecretary, in implementing and executing the public information and educational campaign under this section should encourage the Secretary to work, shall consider with pre-existing State requirements to ensure that no unnecessary burdens are placed on hospitals, military hospitals, and birth centers receiving educational materials. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There isare authorized to be appropriated such to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for fiscal years 20089 through 2010.3. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink