Home visiting in Florida is funded through federal, state and local sources. FL MIECHV administers federal home visiting funds specifically focusing on families in high-need communities and early childhood systems building at the state and local level.
The state also provides support for the statewide implementation of Healthy Families Florida as a primary prevention strategy to reduce child abuse and neglect. Children’s Services Councils, community foundations, and other local funders provide additional resources to support home visiting in their communities. According to the National Home Visiting Resource Center, more than 100 agencies are implementing evidence-based home visiting in Florida using a variety of models.
Home visiting is an investment in the future!
“The highest rate of return in early childhood development comes from investing as early as possible, from birth through age five, in disadvantaged families. Starting at age three or four is too little too late, as it fails to recognize that skills beget skills in a complementary and dynamic way. Efforts should focus on the first years for the greatest efficiency and effectiveness. The best investment is in quality early childhood development from birth to five for disadvantaged children and their families.”
James J. Heckman
Investment in children from birth to five and their families is smart fiscal policy. By coaching families raising young children to become better parents, we can reduce public expenditures on expensive remedial care and lower economic burdens on taxpayers. FL MIECHV funds proven programs that leverage established community resources and work with families who seek help in a trusted environment — their homes. Because families ask for help, they are committed, want to do better and work hard to be better parents.