Early Intervention Program for Adolescent Mothers: A Public Health Nurse Evidence-Based Model of Home Visiting – Lessons Learned

Background/Issue:  In 2010, congress allocated $1.5 billion for expansion of existing or new evidence based home visiting programs for at risk populations, competitively awarded under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV).  Evidence based models (EBMs) eligible for funding have increased; funds are awarded to states that then select models.  Competitive EBMs have established regional or national infrastructure.  Newly identified EBMs may face financial hurdles for scaling up and adoption.

Description:  In 2011 the Early Intervention Program for Adolescent Mothers (EIP) was designated an evidence-based model by DHHS, eligible for funding under MIECHV and the ACA.  The EIP, a public health nurse (PHN) home visiting intervention, was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial (R01-NR02325).  Two-year findings were significant on a number of important child and maternal measures.  The EIP will be described.

Lessons Learned:  Of the 17 models currently meeting DHHS criteria, two are primarily PHN models: the Nurse Family Partnership and the EIP.  Without an existing infrastructure, the EIP is not able to compete nationally.

Implications/Recommendations:  Important implications for promising home visiting programs include: rigorous and longitudinal evaluation criteria consistent with MIECHV benchmarks; disseminate findings beyond scientific literature, ensuring that state decision makers/gatekeepers to MIECHV funding are aware of your significant findings; need for replication/sustainability; advocating for infrastructure and replication funding, as these will be crucial for expansion of future promising EBMs.