Bill > S0677

This bill modifies Rhode Island's family home-visiting program reporting requirements and funding mechanisms to improve access to federal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) grant funds. The bill requires the Department of Health to produce a more comprehensive annual report by March 1st that now includes detailed information about federal and state funding sources, program enrollment, demographic data, service outcomes, and a three-year projection of federal grant funds and state matching requirements. The legislation responds to challenges in the state's home-visiting programs, including a 37% decline in family enrollment between 2021 and 2024 and difficulties meeting federal matching fund requirements. It mandates that the state allocate the minimum amount necessary to draw down maximum federal MIECHV dollars and requires the department to provide a more transparent analysis of program funding, challenges, and potential improvements. The bill aims to support voluntary, high-quality home-visiting services that help families with newborns and young children by ensuring sustainable funding and increasing accountability through more detailed reporting.

Budget and Finance

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