Wisconsin has been awarded an additional $15.5 million in grants to strengthen the state’s home visiting efforts.  The largest is an expansion grant for $6.7 million in year one and $7.2 million in year two. That grant, from the Department of Health and Human Services, is funded through the Affordable Care Act.

Once again Wisconsin has been successful in drawing down federal home visiting funding in a competitive grant process, one of 13 states selected. In addition, Wisconsin received a $1.6 million “formula” grant to support its ongoing home visiting efforts.

The grant will be used to continue existing home visiting programs at 25 locations and to expand the initiative into three new high-risk communities.  The Wisconsin Home Visiting Initiative follows a “shared governance” model, with four agencies working together: the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health Services, the Department of Public Instruction, and the Children’s Trust Fund.

To learn more about the state’s home visiting program, go to the DCF Home Visiting website.

Dave Edie