Strengthening Illinois Families: A Closer Look at MIECHV Home Visiting Data
The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program continues to make a strong impact across Illinois. Administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services and funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the program provides critical support to families with young children through home-based services that promote healthy development, parent-child bonding, and family stability.
According to the latest data available on the HRSA MIECHV Dashboard, Illinois served 1,033 families and 1,176 children in fiscal year 2023, completing more than 12,800 home visits, including over 3,000 conducted virtually.
These services reach families who need them most:
- 97.7% of participants were living below 200% of the federal poverty line, and
- 88.4% of caregivers were screened for depression within three months of enrollment or giving birth.
Illinois also excelled in safe sleep education, with 85.6% of infants placed to sleep safely—on their backs, without bed-sharing or soft bedding.
Who Are the Families Served?
Illinois’ MIECHV programs focus on supporting young caregivers and children in high-need communities. Nearly half of all participating caregivers are between the ages of 22 and 29, and about 25% have not completed high school. The majority of families speak either English (67%) or Spanish (32%) at home, and racial and ethnic diversity is strong, with many identifying as Hispanic/Latino or multiracial.
These insights come from the latest Illinois state data snapshot, which is part of a broader national effort to track and improve home visiting services.
A Coordinated Statewide System
MIECHV is just one piece of a broader system of home visiting in Illinois. The state blends federal and state funding to support more than 300 home visiting programs across over 50 communities. These programs operate under several models—including Healthy Families America, Parents as Teachers, and Early Head Start—and serve approximately 17,000 families annually.
To help families access the right program for their needs, Illinois uses a coordinated intake system called iGrow, which serves as a single point of entry for home visiting services statewide. The state is also innovating by integrating doulas into home visiting and piloting services for populations like youth in foster care and families experiencing homelessness.
Why This Matters
Illinois continues to make measurable progress in key areas like maternal mental health, safe infant sleep, and program engagement. As the HRSA dashboard shows, the state’s home visiting programs are not only reaching families in need but also helping them thrive.
By focusing on equity, flexibility, and outcomes, Illinois is building a stronger, more supportive system for its youngest children and their caregivers—one home visit at a time.