MN HF3886

Commissioner of health awards grants to community health boards, nonprofit organizations, Tribal nations, and health care providers (including doulas, community health workers, perinatal health educators, early childhood family education home visiting providers, and local public health nurses) to establish voluntary home visiting services for families expecting or caring for infants.

Grant-funded home visiting services must provide one to six visits prenatally or within the first four months of birth or adoption and improve outcomes in at least two of six areas: maternal and newborn health, school readiness and achievement, family economic self-sufficiency, coordination and referrals for community resources, reduction in child injuries/abuse/neglect, or reduction in crime or domestic violence.

Services must offer information on infant care, child development, positive parenting, disease and hazard prevention; provide health care referrals and assistance with coverage applications; assess family needs; connect families to community resources; use culturally appropriate approaches; and be voluntary and free of charge.

Commissioner must ensure home visiting services are available statewide by June 30, 2025, prioritizing applicants serving high-risk or high-need populations including those with insufficient prenatal care access, mental illness, substance use disorder, or low socioeconomic status.

$110,000,000 is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2023, with up to seven percent available for training, technical assistance, program administration, and evaluation.