OPEN Moderate ~50h to apply
FY27

480-40-3713 Maternal Child Home Visiting

🏛 Illinois Department of Early Childhood

⏰ Deadline
Sep 30, 2026 in 121 days
📊 Total program funding
$9.35M
📍 Scope
State

Can you apply?

This grant is for home visiting programs serving pregnant people and parents with young children ages 0-5 in Illinois. Eligible organizations operate evidence-based home visiting models: Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, or Parents as Teachers. Families served must be at or below 200% of federal poverty level, or 200-400% FPL if in MIECHV/Early Learning Council priority populations or facing other documented risk factors.

The program prioritizes families in underserved communities facing barriers to maternal and child health outcomes. Eligible innovations include home visiting for justice-involved families, newcomer families, families experiencing homelessness, and those managing depression. Home visiting is free and voluntary.

Applicants must be able to deliver evidence-based home visiting through trained professionals with planned, regular family visits.

Eligible applicants
Check your eligibility — what type of organization are you?

This grant is for home visiting programs serving pregnant people and parents with young children ages 0-5 in Illinois. Eligible organizations operate evidence-based home visiting models: Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, or Parents as Teachers. Families served must be at or below 200% of federal poverty level, or 200-400% FPL if in MIECHV/Early Learning Council priority populations or facing other documented risk factors.

The program prioritizes families in underserved communities facing barriers to maternal and child health outcomes. Eligible innovations include home visiting for justice-involved families, newcomer families, families experiencing homelessness, and those managing depression. Home visiting is free and voluntary.

Applicants must be able to deliver evidence-based home visiting through trained professionals with planned, regular family visits.

Program description

MCHV provides enhanced home visiting services to support pregnant people and parents with young children ages 0-5 who live in communities that face greater risks and barriers to achieving positive maternal and child health outcomes. MCHV programs provide family support and coaching through planned, regular visits with a trained professional based on a family’s needs and schedules. Home visiting is a free and voluntary program, and home visitors work with parents on practical parenting skills as well as family bonding before birth and as children grow up. In addition, home visiting helps families connect with other community services.

The Maternal Child Home Visiting program primarily serves families at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Families who earn between 200% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for services if they are in any of the MIECHV priority populations or the Early Learning Council’s priority populations or if they are experiencing other risk factors.

The Maternal Child Home Visiting program supports home visiting program models including: Healthy Families America (HFA), Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), and Parents as Teachers (PAT). Some programs use the doula enhancement for home visiting.

The Maternal Child Home Visiting program supports innovations in home visiting including, but not limited to, the following:
• Moving Beyond Depression
• Home visiting for families with involvement in the justice system
• Home visiting for Illinois newcomer families
• Home visiting for families experiencing homelessness Administered by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 480-40-3713).

Who can apply

Eligible applicants

Demographic focus

Details

This grant is for home visiting programs serving pregnant people and parents with young children ages 0-5 in Illinois. Eligible organizations operate evidence-based home visiting models: Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, or Parents as Teachers. Families served must be at or below 200% of federal poverty level, or 200-400% FPL if in MIECHV/Early Learning Council priority populations or facing other documented risk factors.

The program prioritizes families in underserved communities facing barriers to maternal and child health outcomes. Eligible innovations include home visiting for justice-involved families, newcomer families, families experiencing homelessness, and those managing depression. Home visiting is free and voluntary.

Applicants must be able to deliver evidence-based home visiting through trained professionals with planned, regular family visits.

How to apply

Application links

Required documents

  • Application form (Illinois GATA requirements)
  • Project narrative describing home visiting model and target populations
  • Community needs assessment or demographic data
  • Staff qualifications and training plan
  • Letters of support from partner organizations
  • Budget and budget narrative
  • Evaluation or outcomes measurement plan

Program contact

FAQ

What home visiting models are supported?

The program funds Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, Parents as Teachers, and doula-enhanced models. Programs must use evidence-based approaches.

Who qualifies for services?

Families at or below 200% of federal poverty level always qualify. Those earning 200-400% FPL qualify if in MIECHV priority populations, Early Learning Council priority populations, or experiencing other risk factors.

Can programs serve other populations besides low-income families?

Yes. The program specifically encourages innovations serving justice-involved families, newcomer families, and families experiencing homelessness regardless of income.

What do home visitors actually do?

Visitors provide family support, practical parenting skills coaching, and help connect families to community services. Visits are planned and regular, based on family schedules and needs.

When is the deadline?

The application deadline is September 30, 2026. Check the Illinois GATA Catalog for any updates or rolling acceptance timelines.

💡 Tips for applicants

  • Clearly describe which evidence-based home visiting model your organization will use. Reviewers expect familiarity with HFA, NFP, or PAT frameworks and staff training plans.
  • Document the communities you serve and explain how they face barriers to maternal and child health outcomes. Use data about poverty rates, health disparities, and demographic challenges.
  • If proposing an innovation (justice system, newcomers, homelessness), explain how home visiting adapts to meet these families' unique needs.
  • Detail your staff qualifications and training. Home visitors must be trained professionals. Budget clearly for salaries and professional development.
  • Connect your work to community resources. Explain partnerships with health providers, social services, and other agencies that families will be linked to.

⚠️ Common mistakes

Unclear description of home visiting model or staff qualifications. Reviewers need specific detail on HFA/NFP/PAT framework and how your team is trained. Weak community data. Vague statements about target populations don't compete. Specific demographic data and health disparities evidence matter. Unclear budget or sustainability plan. Don't leave reviewer wondering how staff will be paid or how program continues beyond grant.

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