(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The panel shall rec-
ommend applicants to the Secretary based on the 
quality of their applications. In addition to ensuring 
that the application is complete, the panel shall con-
sider— 
(A) the quality of the statewide needs assess-
ment, described in subsection (c)(6); 
(B) the quality of the programs to be funded 
by the grant, described in subsection (c)(7)(B), 
and the capacity of such programs to establish or 
expand high quality home visitation services; 
(C) the plan to enhance and improve serv-
ices in the State through collaboration described 
in subsections (c)(7)(E) and (c)(7)(F); 
(D) the State’s plan to prioritize serving 
communities in high need of home visitation 
programs; and 
(E) the State’s plan for delivering effective 
training and technical assistance. 
(e) STATE USES OF FUNDS.—Each State that receives 
a grant under this section shall— 
(1) provide to as many eligible families in the 
State as practicable, voluntary early childhood home 
visitation, on not less frequently than a monthly basis 
with greater frequency of services for those eligible 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
families identified with additional needs, through the 
implementation of high quality programs of early 
childhood home visitation that— 
(A) adopt a clear, consistent model that— 
(i) is research-based; 
(ii) is grounded in empirically-based 
knowledge related to home visiting and 
child health or child development; 
(iii) is linked to program-determined 
outcomes; 
(iv) is associated with a national orga-
nization or institution of higher education 
(as defined under section 101 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965), that has com-
prehensive home visitation program stand-
ards, including standardized training and 
on-going professional development, that en-
sure high quality service delivery and con-
tinuous program quality improvement; 
(v) has been evaluated, and the results 
of the evaluation have been published in a 
peer-reviewed journal; and 
(vi) has been in existence at least 3 
consecutive years prior to the program 
being funded under this Act; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(B) employ well-trained and competent 
staff, as demonstrated by education or training, 
and the provision of ongoing and specific train-
ing on the model being delivered; 
(C) maintain high quality supervision that 
supports home visitor competencies; 
(D) show strong organizational capacity to 
implement the program involved; 
(E) establish appropriate linkages and re-
ferral networks to other community resources 
and supports; 
(F) monitor fidelity of program implemen-
tation to assure that services are delivered ac-
cording to the specified model; 
(G) establish procedures to promote partici-
pation of fathers, where safe and appropriate; 
(H) are research-based and provide parents 
with— 
(i) knowledge of age-appropriate child 
development in cognitive, language, social- 
emotional, and motor domains (including 
knowledge of second language acquisition, 
in the case of English language learners); 
(ii) knowledge of realistic expectations 
of age-appropriate child behaviors; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(iii) knowledge of health and wellness 
issues for children and parents; 
(iv) modeling, consulting, and coaching 
on parenting practices; 
(v) skills to interact with their child to 
enhance age-appropriate development; 
(vi) skills to recognize and seek help for 
issues related to health, developmental 
delays, and social, emotional, and behav-
ioral skills; 
(vii) activities designed to help parents 
become full partners in the education of 
their children; and 
(viii) relevant information, consistent 
with State child welfare agency training, 
concerning child welfare and protective 
services resources if appropriate; 
(I) ascertain what health and developmental 
services the family receives and works with pro-
viders of such services to eliminate gaps in serv-
ice by offering annual health, vision, hearing, 
and developmental screening for children from 
birth to entry into kindergarten, when not other-
wise provided; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(J) provide referrals for eligible families, as 
needed, to additional resources available in the 
community, such as center-based early education 
programs, child care services, health or mental 
health services, family literacy programs, em-
ployment agencies, social services, fatherhood 
programs, and child care resource and referral 
agencies; and 
(K) offer group meetings (at program dis-
cretion) for eligible families that— 
(i) further enhance the information, 
activities, and skill-building addressed dur-
ing home visitation; and 
(ii) offer opportunities for parents to 
meet with and support each other. 
(2) reserve 10 percent of the grant funds to pro-
vide training and technical assistance, directly or 
through contract, to early childhood home visitation 
programs relating to— 
(A) effective methods of implementing par-
ent education, conducting home visiting, and 
promoting positive early childhood development; 
(B) the relationship of health and well-being 
of pregnant women to prenatal and early child-
hood development; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(C) early childhood development with re-
spect to children from birth until entry into kin-
dergarten; 
(D) methods to help parents promote emer-
gent literacy, including second language acquisi-
tion for English language learners, in their chil-
dren from birth until entry into kindergarten; 
(E) health, vision, hearing, and develop-
mental screenings; 
(F) strategies for helping eligible families 
with special needs or those eligible families cop-
ing with crisis; 
(G) recruiting, supervising, and retaining 
qualified staff; 
(H) increasing services for underserved pop-
ulations; 
(I) methods to help parents effectively re-
spond to their children’s needs and behaviors; 
(J) implementation of ongoing program 
quality improvement and evaluation of activities 
and outcomes; 
(K) relevant issues related to child welfare 
and protective services, with information pro-
vided being consistent with State or local child 
welfare agency training; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(L) effective methods of successfully engag-
ing fathers in programs for parents; and 
(M) the relationship of father involvement 
to the health and well-being of pregnant women 
and to prenatal and early childhood develop-
ment; 
(3) ensure representatives from high quality pro-
grams of early childhood home visitation operating in 
the State are included in an existing State-level early 
childhood coordinating body, such as the State Advi-
sory Council on Early Childhood Care and Education 
(as defined in section 642B(b) of the Head Start Act), 
that meets regularly to address policy and implemen-
tation issues that will improve the coordination and 
effectiveness of a range of services for children and 
families; and 
(4) use not more than 5 percent of the amount 
of grant funds received under this section for the ad-
ministration of the grant, including planning, ad-
ministration, and annual reporting. 
(f) MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.—A State is entitled to 
receive its full allotment of funds under this section for any 
fiscal year if the Secretary finds that the aggregate expendi-
tures within the State for quality programs of early child-
hood home visitation for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
year for which the determination is made was not less than 
100 percent of such aggregate expenditures for the second 
fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the deter-
mination is made. 
(g)(1) STATE MATCH.—In order to receive an allot-
ment under subsection (b)(2), a State shall match the 
amount of such allotment with funds not derived from other 
Federal sources on the following basis: 
(A) 10 percent of such allotment for fiscal year 
2011; 
(B) 20 percent of such allotment for fiscal year 
2012; and 
(C) 30 percent of such allotment for fiscal year 
2013. 
(2) MATCH REQUIREMENT.—The funds resulting from 
the requirement in paragraph (1) shall be exported in ac-
cordance with the requirements of this section. 
(h) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Each State that re-
ceives a grant under this section shall submit an annual 
report to the Secretary regarding the State’s progress in ad-
dressing the purposes of this Act. Such report shall include, 
at a minimum, a description of— 
(1) actual service delivery provided under the 
grant including— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(A) program characteristics, including de-
scriptive information on the service model used 
and actual program performance; 
(B) provider characteristics, including staff 
qualifications, work experience, and demographic 
characteristics; and 
(C) 
recipient 
characteristics, 
including 
number, demographic characteristics, and family 
retention; 
(2) recipient outcomes that are consistent with 
program goals, including, where appropriate given 
the program being evaluated— 
(A) parent knowledge of early learning and 
development; 
(B) child health, cognitive, language, social- 
emotional, and physical developmental indica-
tors; 
(C) child maltreatment indicators; 
(D) school readiness indicators; and 
(E) links to community services; 
(3) the research-based instruction, materials, and 
activities being used in the activities funded under the 
grant; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(4) the training and technical assistance, includ-
ing ongoing professional development, provided to 
programs supported under the grant; 
(5) beginning at the end of the second year of the 
grant, the results of evaluations described in sub-
section (c)(7)(H); and 
(6) the annual program implementation costs, 
including the cost per family served under the pro-
gram. 
SEC. 5. TARGETED GRANTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME 
VISITATION FOR FAMILIES WITH ENGLISH 
LANGUAGE LEARNERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Education, shall make grants, on a com-
petitive basis, to eligible applicants to enable such appli-
cants to support and expand local efforts to deliver services 
through quality programs of early childhood home visita-
tion to eligible families with English language learners. 
(b) ELIGIBLE APPLICANT.—In this section, the term 
‘‘eligible applicant’’ means— 
(1) 1 or more local educational agencies (as de-
fined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)); and 
(2) 1 or more public or private community-based 
organizations or agencies that serve eligible families 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
and are capable of establishing and implementing 
high quality programs of early childhood home visita-
tion. 
(c) APPLICATIONS.—An eligible applicant that desires 
to receive a grant under this section shall submit an appli-
cation to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Secretary may require. 
The application shall include a description of— 
(1) the results of a communitywide needs assess-
ment that demonstrates the need for services to eligible 
families with English language learners and de-
scribes— 
(A) community demographics; 
(B) the quality and capacity of existing 
programs of early childhood home visitation for 
eligible families with English language learners 
in the community; 
(C) the gaps in programs of early childhood 
home visitation for eligible families with English 
language learners in the community; and 
(D) the type of program of early childhood 
home visitation necessary to address the gaps 
identified; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(2) the program of early childhood home visita-
tion that will be supported by the grant under this 
section; 
(3) how the proposed program of early childhood 
home visitation will promote positive parenting skills 
and children’s early learning and development; 
(4) how the proposed program of early childhood 
home visitation will incorporate the authorized activi-
ties described in subsection (e); 
(5) how services provided through a grant under 
this section will use materials that are appropriate 
for eligible families with English language learners; 
(6) how the activities under this section will 
build on and promote coordination among existing 
programs of early childhood home visitation, if such 
programs exist in the community, in an effort to pro-
mote an array of home visitation that ensures more 
eligible families with English language learners are 
being served and are getting the most appropriate 
services to meet their needs; 
(7) how the program will ensure that— 
(A) where appropriate to the program goals 
of the home visiting model, families partici-
pating in early childhood home visitation pro-
grams with English language learners will be in-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
troduced to and connected with their local schools 
to encourage ongoing parental involvement in 
their children’s education; and 
(B) the activities under this section will 
support the preparation of children for school; 
(8) how channels of communication will be es-
tablished between staff of programs of early childhood 
home visitation and staff of other early childhood edu-
cation programs, such as Head Start programs car-
ried out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 
et seq.) and Early Head Start programs carried out 
under section 645A of such Act, preschool programs, 
and child care programs, to facilitate the coordina-
tion of services for eligible families with English lan-
guage learners; 
(9) how eligible families with English language 
learners will be recruited and retained to receive serv-
ices under this section; 
(10) how training and technical assistance will 
be provided to help the staff of programs of early 
childhood home visitation involved in activities under 
this section to more effectively serve eligible families 
with English language learners; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(11) how the eligible applicant will evaluate the 
activities supported under this section in order to 
demonstrate outcomes related to the— 
(A) number of eligible families with English 
language learners served by programs of early 
childhood home visitation; 
(B) parental knowledge of early learning 
and development; 
(C) positive parenting practices related to 
early learning and development; and 
(D) children’s cognitive, language, social- 
emotional, and physical development; 
(12) how the proposed program will conduct out-
reach activities to target both mothers and fathers and 
increase father involvement where safe and appro-
priate; and 
(13) such other information as the Secretary 
may require. 
(d) APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall select ap-
plicants for funding under this section based on the 
quality of the applications and the recommendations 
of a peer review panel, as described in paragraph (2). 
(2) PEER
REVIEW
PANEL.—The peer review 
panel shall include not fewer than— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(A) 2 individuals who are experts in the 
field of home visitation; 
(B) 2 individuals who are experts in early 
childhood development; 
(C) 2 individuals who are experts in serv-
ing eligible families with English language 
learners; 
(D) 1 individual who is a board certified 
pediatrician or a developmental pediatrician; 
and 
(E) 1 individual with expertise in admin-
istering public or private (including community- 
based) child maltreatment prevention programs. 
(e) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Each eligible appli-
cant that receives a grant under this section shall carry 
out the following activities: 
(1) Providing to as many eligible families with 
English language learners as practicable, voluntary 
early childhood home visitation, on not less frequently 
than a monthly basis, through the implementation of 
quality programs of early childhood home visitation 
that are research-based that provide parents with— 
(A) knowledge of age-appropriate child de-
velopment in cognitive, language, social-emo-
tional, and motor domains; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(B) knowledge of realistic expectations of 
age-appropriate child behaviors; 
(C) knowledge of health and wellness issues 
for children and parents; 
(D) modeling, consulting, and coaching on 
parenting practices; 
(E) skills to interact with their child to en-
hance age-appropriate development; 
(F) skills to recognize and seek help for 
issues related to health, developmental delays, 
and social, emotional, and behavioral skills; and 
(G) activities designed to help parents be-
come full partners in the education of their chil-
dren. 
(2) Ascertaining what health and developmental 
services the family receives and working with these 
providers to eliminate gaps in service by offering an-
nual health, vision, hearing, and developmental 
screening for children from birth to entry into kinder-
garten, when not otherwise provided. 
(3) Providing referrals for participating eligible 
families with English language learners, as needed, to 
additional resources available in the community, such 
as center-based early education programs, child care 
services, health or mental health services, family lit-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
eracy programs, employment agencies, social services, 
and child care resource and referral agencies. 
(4) Offering group meetings (at program discre-
tion), on not less frequently than a monthly basis, for 
eligible families with English language learners 
that— 
(A) further enhance the information, activi-
ties, and skill-building addressed during home 
visitation; 
(B) offer opportunities for parents to meet 
with and support each other; and 
(C) address challenges facing eligible fami-
lies with English language learners. 
(5) Providing training and technical assistance 
to early childhood home visitation staff relating to— 
(A) effective service to eligible families with 
English language learners, including skills to ad-
dress challenges facing English language learn-
ers; 
(B) effective methods of implementing par-
ent education, conducting home visiting, and 
promoting quality early childhood development, 
with sensitivity to cultural variations in par-
enting norms and attitudes toward formal sup-
port services; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(C) the relationship of health and well-being 
of pregnant women to prenatal and early child 
development; 
(D) early childhood development with re-
spect to children from birth until entry into kin-
dergarten; 
(E) methods to help parents promote emer-
gent literacy in their children from birth until 
entry into kindergarten; 
(F) implementing strategies for helping eli-
gible families with English language learners 
coping with a crisis; 
(G) recruiting, supervising, and retaining 
qualified staff; 
(H) increasing services for underserved eli-
gible families with English language learners; 
(I) methods to help parents effectively re-
spond to their children’s needs and behaviors; 
(J) implementation of ongoing program 
quality improvement and evaluation of activities 
and outcomes; and 
(K) the relationship of father involvement to 
the health and well-being of pregnant women 
and to prenatal and early childhood develop-
ment. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(6) Coordinating existing programs of early 
childhood home visitation in order to effectively and 
efficiently meet the needs of more eligible families 
with English language learners. 
(f) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Each applicant that 
receives a grant under this section to carry out a program 
shall submit an annual report to the Secretary, and the 
lead State agency as described in section 4(c)(1), regarding 
the progress of such program in addressing the purposes of 
this Act. Such report shall include, at a minimum, a de-
scription of— 
(1) actual service delivery provided under the 
grant including— 
(A) program characteristics including de-
scriptive information on the service model used 
and actual program performance; 
(B) provider characteristics including staff 
qualifications, work experience, and demographic 
characteristics; 
(C) recipient characteristics including num-
ber, demographic characteristics, and rates of 
family retention in programs; and 
(D) an estimate of annual program imple-
mentation costs; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(2) recipient outcomes that are consistent with 
program goals including, where appropriate given the 
program being evaluated— 
(A) parental practices; 
(B) child health and development indica-
tors; 
(C) child maltreatment indicators; 
(D) school readiness indicators; and 
(E) links to community services; 
(3) the research-based instruction, materials, and 
activities being used in the activities funded under the 
grant; and 
(4) the training and technical assistance, includ-
ing ongoing professional development, provided to 
programs supported under the grant. 
(g) SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT.—Grant funds pro-
vided under this section shall be used to supplement, and 
not supplant, Federal and non-Federal funds available for 
carrying out the activities described in this section. 
(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums for fiscal 
years 2010 through 2013. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
SEC. 6. TARGETED GRANTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME 
VISITATION FOR MILITARY FAMILIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, in con-
sultation with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services, shall make grants, on a 
competitive basis, to eligible applicants to enable such ap-
plicants to support and expand efforts to deliver services 
through high quality programs of early childhood home visi-
tation to eligible families with a family member in the 
Armed Forces. 
(b) ELIGIBLE APPLICANT.—In this section, the term 
‘‘eligible applicant’’ means any of the following: 
(1) A local educational agency that receives pay-
ments under title VIII of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7701 et 
seq.). 
(2) A school of the defense dependents’ education 
system under the Defense Dependents’ Education Act 
of 1978 (20 U.S.C. 921 et seq.). 
(3) A school established under section 2164 of 
title 10, United States Code. 
(4) A community-based organization serving 
families with a family member in the Armed Forces. 
(c) APPLICATIONS.—An eligible applicant that desires 
to receive a grant under this section shall submit an appli-
cation to the Secretary of Defense at such time, in such 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00038
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
of Defense may require. The application shall include a de-
scription of— 
(1) the results of a communitywide needs assess-
ment that demonstrates the need for services to eligible 
families with a family member in the Armed Forces 
and describes— 
(A) community demographics; 
(B) the quality and capacity of existing 
programs of early childhood home visitation for 
eligible families with a family member in the 
Armed Forces; 
(C) the gaps in programs of early childhood 
home visitation for eligible families with a fam-
ily member in the Armed Forces; and 
(D) the type of program of early childhood 
home visitation necessary to address the gaps 
identified; 
(2) the program of early childhood home visita-
tion that will be supported by the grant under this 
section; 
(3) how the proposed program of early childhood 
home visitation will promote positive parenting skills 
and children’s early learning and development; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(4) how the proposed program of early childhood 
home visitation will incorporate the authorized activi-
ties described in subsection (f); 
(5) how services provided through a grant under 
this section will use materials that are appropriate 
toward eligible families with a family member in the 
Armed Forces; 
(6) how the activities under this section will 
build on and promote coordination with existing pro-
grams of early childhood home visitation, if such pro-
grams exist in the community, in an effort to promote 
an array of home visitation that ensures more eligible 
families with a family member in the Armed Forces 
are being served and are getting the most appropriate 
services to meet their needs; 
(7) how the program will ensure that— 
(A) where appropriate to the program goals 
of the home visiting model, families partici-
pating in early childhood home visitation pro-
grams with a family member in the Armed 
Forces will be introduced to and connected with 
their local schools to encourage ongoing parental 
involvement in their children’s education; and 
(B) the activities under this section will 
support the preparation of children for school; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(8) how channels of communication will be es-
tablished between staff of programs of early childhood 
home visitation and staff of other early childhood edu-
cation programs, such as Head Start programs car-
ried out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 
et seq.) and Early Head Start programs carried out 
under section 645A of such Act, preschool programs, 
family support programs, and child care programs, to 
facilitate the coordination of services for eligible fami-
lies with a family member in the Armed Forces; 
(9) how eligible families with a family member 
in the Armed Forces will be recruited and retained to 
receive services under this section; 
(10) how training and technical assistance will 
be provided to help programs of early childhood home 
visitation involved in activities under this section to 
more effectively serve eligible families with a family 
member in the Armed Forces; 
(11) how the eligible applicant will evaluate the 
activities supported under this section in order to 
demonstrate outcomes related to the— 
(A) number of eligible families with a fam-
ily member in the Armed Forces served by pro-
grams of early childhood home visitation; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(B) parental knowledge of early learning 
and development; 
(C) positive parenting practices related to 
early learning and development; and 
(D) children’s cognitive, language, social- 
emotional, and physical development; 
(12) how the proposed program will conduct out-
reach activities to target both mothers and fathers and 
increase father involvement where safe and appro-
priate; and 
(13) such other information as the Secretary of 
Defense may require. 
(d) APPROVAL OF LOCAL APPLICATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
select applicants for funding under this section based 
on the quality of the applications and the rec-
ommendations of a peer review panel, as described in 
paragraph (2). 
(2) PEER
REVIEW
PANEL.—The peer review 
panel shall include not fewer than— 
(A) 2 individuals who are experts in the 
field of home visitation; 
(B) 2 individuals who are experts in early 
childhood development; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00042
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(C) 2 individuals who are experts in family 
support for military families; 
(D) 1 individual who is a board certified 
pediatrician or developmental pediatrician; and 
(E) 1 individual with expertise in admin-
istering public or private (including community- 
based) child maltreatment prevention programs. 
(e) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Each eligible appli-
cant that receives a grant under this section shall carry 
out the following activities: 
(1) Providing to as many eligible families with 
a family member in the Armed Forces as practicable, 
voluntary early childhood home visitation, on not less 
frequently than a monthly basis, through the imple-
mentation of quality programs of early childhood 
home visitation that are research-based and that pro-
vide parents with— 
(A) knowledge of age-appropriate child de-
velopment in cognitive, language, social-emo-
tional, and motor domains; 
(B) knowledge of realistic expectations of 
age-appropriate child behaviors; 
(C) knowledge of health and wellness issues 
for children and parents; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(D) modeling, consulting, and coaching on 
parenting practices; 
(E) skills to interact with their child to en-
hance age-appropriate development; 
(F) skills to recognize and seek help for 
issues related to health, developmental delays, 
and social, emotional, and behavioral skills; and 
(G) activities designed to help parents be-
come full partners in the education of their chil-
dren. 
(2) Ascertaining what health and developmental 
services the family receives and working with these 
providers to eliminate gaps in service by offering an-
nual health, vision, hearing, and developmental 
screening for children from birth to entry into kinder-
garten, when not otherwise provided. 
(3) Providing referrals for participating eligible 
families with a family member in the Armed Forces, 
as needed, to additional resources available in the 
community, such as center-based early education pro-
grams, child care services, health or mental health 
services, family literacy programs, employment agen-
cies, social services, and child care resource and refer-
ral agencies. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(4) Offering group meetings (at program discre-
tion), on not less frequently than a monthly basis, for 
eligible families with a family member in the Armed 
Forces that— 
(A) further enhance the information, activi-
ties, and skill-building addressed during home 
visitation; 
(B) offer opportunities for parents to meet 
with and support each other; and 
(C) address challenges facing eligible fami-
lies with a family member in the Armed Forces. 
(5) Providing training and technical assistance 
to early childhood home visitation staff relating to— 
(A) effective service to eligible families with 
a family member in the Armed Forces; 
(B) effective methods of implementing par-
ent education, conducting home visiting, and 
promoting quality early childhood development, 
with sensitivity to cultural variations in par-
enting norms and attitudes toward formal sup-
port services; 
(C) the relationship of health and well-being 
of pregnant women to prenatal and early child 
development; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(D) early childhood development with re-
spect to children from birth until entry into kin-
dergarten; 
(E) methods to help parents promote emer-
gent literacy in their children from birth until 
entry into kindergarten; 
(F) implementing strategies for helping eli-
gible families with a family member in the 
Armed Forces coping with crisis; 
(G) recruiting, supervising, and retaining 
qualified staff; 
(H) increasing services for underserved eli-
gible families with a family member in the 
Armed Forces; 
(I) methods to help parents effectively re-
spond to their children’s needs and behaviors; 
(J) implementation of ongoing program 
quality improvement and evaluation of activities 
and outcomes; and 
(K) the relationship of father involvement to 
the health and well-being of pregnant women 
and to prenatal and early childhood develop-
ment. 
(6) Coordinating existing programs of early 
childhood home visitation in order to effectively and 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
efficiently meet the needs of more eligible families 
with a family member in the Armed Forces. 
(f) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Each applicant that 
receives a grant under this section to carry out a program 
shall submit an annual report to the Secretary, and the 
lead State agency as described in section 4(c)(1), regarding 
the progress of such program in addressing the purposes of 
this Act. Such report shall include, at a minimum, a de-
scription of— 
(1) actual service delivery provided under the 
grant including— 
(A) program characteristics including de-
scriptive information on the service model used 
and actual program performance; 
(B) provider characteristics including staff 
qualifications, work experience, and demographic 
characteristics; 
(C) recipient characteristics including num-
ber, demographic characteristics, and family re-
tention; and 
(D) an estimate of annual program imple-
mentation costs; 
(2) recipient outcomes that are consistent with 
program goals including, where appropriate given the 
program being evaluated— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(A) parental practices; 
(B) child health and development indica-
tors; 
(C) child maltreatment indicators; 
(D) school readiness indicators; and 
(E) links to community services; 
(3) the research-based instruction, materials, and 
activities being used in the activities funded under the 
grant; and 
(4) the training and technical assistance, includ-
ing ongoing professional development, provided to 
programs supported under the grant. 
(g) SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT.—Grant funds pro-
vided under this section shall be used to supplement, and 
not supplant, Federal and non-Federal funds available for 
carrying out the activities described in this section. 
(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums as may be 
necessary for fiscal years 2010 through 2013. 
SEC. 7. EVALUATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—From funds reserved under section 
4(b)(1)(A), the Secretary shall conduct, through grant or 
contract, an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of 
home visitation programs carried out under this Act. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(b) REPORTS.— 
(1) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall submit an interim report on the evaluation con-
ducted pursuant to subsection (a) to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate 
and the Committee on Education and Labor of the 
House of Representatives. 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 4 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit a final report on the evaluation conducted 
pursuant to subsection (a) to the committees described 
in paragraph (1). 
(c) STUDY.—The independent evaluation conducted 
under this section shall examine the following: 
(1) The effect of home visiting programs on child 
and parent outcomes, consistent with program goals, 
including, where appropriate given the program being 
evaluated, parental outcomes related to child health 
and development, parenting practices, child health 
and development, child maltreatment, school readi-
ness, and links to community services. 
(2) The effectiveness of early childhood home visi-
tation on different populations, including the extent 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
to which variability exists in program ability to im-
prove outcomes across programs and populations. 
SEC. 8. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall annually pro-
vide a report to the Committee on Education and Labor 
in the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in the Senate, in-
formation on the activities carried out under this Act. 
(b) CONTENT.—The reports submitted under this sec-
tion shall, at a minimum, include information about the 
programs carried out under this Act, including information 
on the following: 
(1) descriptions of the high need communities 
targeted by States for programs carried out under 
this Act; 
(2) the service delivery models funded under this 
Act; 
(3) program characteristics, including— 
(A) staff qualifications and demographic 
characteristics; and 
(B) recipient characteristics including the 
number of families served, the demographic char-
acteristics of the families served, and family re-
tention and duration of services; 
(4) program-reported outcomes; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(5) the findings from State evaluations; 
(6) the research-based instruction, materials, and 
activities being used in the activities funded under the 
grant; 
(7) the training and technical activities, includ-
ing on-going professional development, provided to 
programs; and 
(8) the annual program implementation costs, 
including the cost per family served under the pro-
gram. 
SEC. 9. SUPPORTING NEW PARENTS THROUGH HOSPITAL 
EDUCATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall develop and 
implement a public information and educational campaign 
to inform the public and new parents about the importance 
of proper care for infants and children under 5 years of 
age, including healthy parent-child relationships, the de-
mands and stress associated with caring for infants, posi-
tive responses to infants’ challenging behaviors including 
awareness of their social, emotional, and physical needs, 
awareness of the vulnerability of young children to abusive 
practices, and the signs and treatment of post-partum de-
pression. 
(b) ELEMENTS.— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The campaign developed 
under subsection (a) shall include the following ele-
ments: 
(A) The dissemination of educational and 
informational materials in print, audio, video, 
electronic, and other media. 
(B) The use of public service announcements 
and advertisements. 
(C) The dissemination of effective child 
abuse prevention practices and techniques, in-
cluding information about research-based home 
visiting programs, respite care, crisis nurseries, 
and parent support networks, to parents, care-
givers, maternity hospitals, children’s hospitals, 
pediatricians, child care centers, organizations 
providing prenatal and postnatal care, and or-
ganizations providing parenting education and 
support services. 
(D) Connection to existing parental involve-
ment programs. 
(2) EXISTING PROGRAMS.—The Secretary, in im-
plementing and executing the public information and 
educational campaign under this section, should seek 
collaboration with and referrals to existing parental 
involvement programs that specialize in strengthening 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
children’s cognitive skills, early literacy skills, social 
or emotional and physical development and existing 
prenatal and early childhood home visitation pro-
grams. 
(3) EXISTING STATE REQUIREMENTS.—The Sec-
retary, in implementing and executing the public in-
formation and educational campaign under this sec-
tion, shall consider with pre-existing State require-
ments to ensure that no unnecessary burdens are 
placed on hospitals, military hospitals, and birth cen-
ters receiving educational materials. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such 
sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2009 through 
2013. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00053
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS
Union Calendar No. 559 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 2343 
[Report No. 110–818, Part I] 
A BILL 
To expand quality programs of early childhood 
home visitation that increase school readiness, 
child abuse and neglect prevention, and early 
identification of developmental and health delays, 
including potential mental health concerns, and 
for other purposes. 
SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 
Committee on Armed Services discharged; committed to 
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the 
Union and ordered to be printed 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
21:52 Sep 22, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 6651
Sfmt 6651
E:\BILLS\H2343.RH
H2343
hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with BILLS