Education Begins at Home Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, to: (1) allot grants to states for Parents as Teachers programs, or other programs of early childhood home visitation; and (2) make competitive grants to local educational agencies and other eligible applicants for early home visitation for families with English language learners. Directs the Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, to make competitive grants to eligible applicants for early home visitation for military families.
Amends the Head Start Act to direct the Secretary of HHS to establish standards for home visitor staff in Early Head Start programs with respect to their training, qualifications, and conduct of home visits. Revises Early Head Start programs to provide for: (1) training in parenting skills and child development; (2) certain home-based and family support services; (3) procedures for transition into Head Start or other local early childhood education programs; (4) staff communication and program coordination; and (5) professional development and personnel enhancement.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 503 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 503
To expand Parents as Teachers programs and other quality programs of
early childhood home visitation, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 3, 2005
Mr. Bond (for himself, Mr. Talent, and Mr. DeWine) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To expand Parents as Teachers programs and other quality programs of
early childhood home visitation, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Education Begins at Home Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) the home is the first and most important learning
environment for children, and parents are their children's
first and most influential teacher;
(2) through parent education and family support, we can
promote parents' ability to enhance their children's
development from birth until entry into kindergarten thereby
helping parents to prepare their children for success in
school;
(3) undiagnosed and unaddressed developmental and health
problems can impede overall child development and school
readiness;
(4) all parents deserve and can benefit from--
(A) research-based information regarding child
development;
(B) enrichment opportunities with their children;
and
(C) early opportunities to become involved with
their community and schools; and
(5) early childhood home visitation leads to positive
outcomes for children and families, including readiness for
school, improved child health and development, positive
parenting practices, and reductions in child maltreatment.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are as follows:
(1) To enable States to deliver services under Parents as
Teachers programs, or other quality programs of early childhood
home visitation, to pregnant women and parents of children from
birth until entry into kindergarten in order to promote
parents' ability to support their children's optimal cognitive,
language, social-emotional, and physical development.
(2) To improve Early Head Start programs carried out under
section 645A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a).
(3) To expand Parents as Teachers programs, or other
quality programs of early childhood home visitation, so as to
more effectively reach and serve families with English language
learners.
(4) To expand Parents as Teachers programs, or other
quality programs of early childhood home visitation, so as to
more effectively reach and serve families serving in the
military.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Eligible family.--The term ``eligible family'' means--
(A) a woman who is pregnant; or
(B) a parent or primary caregiver of a child who is
from birth until entry into kindergarten.
(2) Home visitation.--The term ``home visitation'' means
services provided in the permanent or temporary residence, or
in other familiar surroundings, of the individual receiving
such services.
(3) Secretary.--Except as provided in section 8, the term
``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States,
the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
SEC. 5. STATE GRANTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITATION.
(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the
Secretary of Education, shall make grants to States to enable such
States to establish or expand Parents as Teachers programs, or other
quality programs of early childhood home visitation, as specified under
subsection (f). Each grant shall consist of the allotment determined
for a State under subsection (b).
(b) Determination of Reservations; Amount of Allotments;
Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) Reservations from appropriations.--From the total
amount made available to carry out this section for a fiscal
year, the Secretary shall reserve--
(A) 3 percent for an independent evaluation of the
activities carried out under this Act, as specified in
section 9;
(B) not more than 5 percent for Federal
administrative costs; and
(C) 2 percent for training and technical assistance
for States.
(2) State allotments for early childhood home visitation.--
(A) In general.--In accordance with subparagraph
(B), the Secretary shall allot among each of the States
the total amount made available to carry out this
section for any fiscal year and not reserved under
paragraph (1), to carry out early childhood home
visitation in accordance with this section.
(B) Determination of state allotments.--
(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
the Secretary shall allot the amount made
available under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal
year among the States in proportion to the
number of children, aged from birth to 5 years,
who reside within the State, compared to the
number of such individuals who reside in all
such States for that fiscal year.
(ii) Exception.--No State receiving an
allotment under clause (i) may receive more
than $20,000,000.
(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $400,000,000 for
the period of fiscal years 2006 through 2008.
(c) State Grant Applications.--A State that desires to receive a
grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require. The application shall contain the following
information:
(1) An assurance that the Governor of the State has
designated a lead State agency, such as the State educational
agency or the State health and human services agency, to carry
out the activities under this section.
(2) An assurance that the State will, if requested,
participate in the independent evaluation under section 9.
(3) An assurance that the State will reserve 10 percent of
the grant funds for training and technical assistance of staff
of programs of early childhood home visitation.
(4) An assurance that the State will authorize child care
resource and referral agencies to refer parents seeking home
visitation services.
(5) The results of a statewide needs assessment that
describes--
(A) the quality and capacity of existing programs
of early childhood home visitation in the State;
(B) the number and types of eligible families who
are receiving services under such programs; and
(C) the gaps in early childhood home visitation in
the State.
(6) A State plan containing the following:
(A) A description of the State's strategy to
establish or expand Parents as Teachers programs, or
other quality programs of early childhood home
visitation, to serve all eligible families in the
State.
(B) A description of the Parents as Teachers
programs, or other quality programs of early childhood
home visitation, that will be supported by a grant
under this section.
(C) A description of how the proposed program of
early childhood home visitation will promote positive
parenting skills and children's early learning and
development.
(D) A description of how the proposed program of
early childhood home visitation will incorporate the
authorized activities described in subsection (f).
(E) How the lead State agency will build on and
promote coordination among existing programs of early
childhood home visitation in an effort to promote an
array of home visitation that ensures more eligible
families are being served and are getting the most
appropriate services to meet their needs.
(F) How the lead State agency will promote channels
of communication between staff of programs of early
childhood home visitation and staff of other early
childhood education programs, such as Head Start
programs carried 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
coordination of services for eligible families.
(G) How the lead State agency will provide training
and technical assistance to staff of programs of early
childhood home visitation involved in activities under
this section to more effectively meet the needs of the
eligible families served.
(H) How the lead State agency will evaluate the
activities supported under this section in order to
demonstrate outcomes related to the enhancement of--
(i) parent knowledge of early learning and
development;
(ii) positive parenting practices related
to early learning and development; and
(iii) children's cognitive, language,
social-emotional, and physical development.
(I) Such other information as the Secretary may
require.
(d) Approval of Applications.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall approve an application
under this section based on the quality of the application and
the recommendations of a peer review panel, as described in
paragraph (2).
(2) Peer review panel.--The peer review panel shall include
not less than--
(A) 3 individuals who are experts in the field of
home visitation;
(B) 2 individuals who are experts in early
childhood development;
(C) 1 individual with experience implementing a
statewide program of early childhood home visitation;
and
(D) 1 individual who is a board certified
pediatrician.
(e) Duration of Grants.--Grants made under this section shall be
for a period of no more than 3 years.
(f) 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 families identified with additional
needs, through the implementation of Parents as Teachers
programs, or other quality programs of early childhood home
visitation that are research-based, that provide parents with--
(A) knowledge of age appropriate child development
in cognitive, language, social-emotional, and motor
domains;
(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 enhance
age-appropriate development;
(F) skills to recognize and seek help for health
issues and developmental delays; and
(G) activities designed to help parents become full
partners in the education of their children;
(2) offer annual health, vision, hearing, and developmental
screening for children from birth until entry into
kindergarten;
(3) 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,
employment agencies, social services, and child care resource
and referral agencies;
(4) offer group meetings, on not less frequently than a
monthly basis, for eligible families that--
(A) further enhance the information, activities,
and skill-building addressed during home visitation;
and
(B) offer opportunities for parents to meet with
and support each other;
(5) reserve 10 percent of the grant funds to provide
training and technical assistance, directly or through
contract, to early childhood home visitation and early
childhood care and education staff relating to--
(A) effective methods of conducting parent
education, home visiting, and promoting quality early
childhood development;
(B) the relationship of health and well-being of
pregnant women to prenatal and early childhood
development;
(C) early childhood development with respect to
children from birth until entry into kindergarten;
(D) methods to help parents promote emergent
literacy in their children from birth until entry into
kindergarten;
(E) health, vision, hearing, and developmental
screenings;
(F) strategies for helping eligible families with
special needs or those eligible families coping with
crisis;
(G) recruiting, supervising, and retaining
qualified staff;
(H) increasing services for underserved
populations;
(I) methods to help parents effectively respond to
their children's needs and behaviors; and
(J) implementation of ongoing program quality
improvement and evaluation of activities and outcomes;
(6) ensure coordination of programs of early childhood home
visitation, early childhood education and care, and early
intervention, through an existing or created State-level early
childhood coordinating body that includes--
(A) representatives from relevant State agencies;
(B) representatives from State Head Start
Associations;
(C) the State official with responsibility for
carrying out activities under part C of the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et
seq.);
(D) the State official with responsibility for
carrying out activities under section 619 of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
1419);
(E) representatives from child care resource and
referral State offices;
(F) representatives from Parents as Teachers State
affiliate offices;
(G) representatives from other quality programs of
early childhood home visitation; and
(H) a board certified pediatrician; and
(7) not expend more than 10 percent of the amount of grant
funds received under this section for the administration of the
grant, including planning, administration, evaluation, and
annual reporting.
(g) 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 expenditures within the State for
Parents as Teachers programs, or other quality programs of early
childhood home visitation, for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal
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 determination is made.
(h) Reporting Requirements.--Each State that receives a grant under
this section shall submit an annual report to the Secretary regarding
the State's progress in addressing the purposes of this Act. Such
report shall include, at a minimum, a description of--
(1) the types of activities funded under the grant;
(2) the children and eligible families served by the
programs funded under the grant;
(3) the research-based instruction, materials, and
activities being used in the activities funded under the grant;
(4) the effectiveness of the training and ongoing
professional development provided--
(A) to staff supported under the grant; and
(B) to the broader early childhood community; and
(5) beginning at the end of the second year of the grant,
the results of evaluations described in subsection (c)(4)(G).
SEC. 6. STRENGTHENING EARLY HEAD START HOME VISITATION.
Section 645A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``provide
services to parents to support their role as parents''
and inserting ``provide additional services to parents
to support their role as parents (including parenting
skills training and training in basic child
development)'';
(B) in paragraph (5)--
(i) by inserting ``(including home-based
services)'' after ``with services''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, and family support
services'' after ``health services'';
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (7), (8), and (9)
as paragraphs (9), (10), and (11), respectively; and
(D) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) develop and implement a systematic procedure for
transitioning children and parents from an Early Head Start
program into a Head Start program or another local early
childhood education program;
``(8) establish channels of communication between staff of
Early Head Start programs and staff of Head Start programs or
other local early childhood education programs, to facilitate
the coordination of programs;'';
(2) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking clause (iv) and
inserting the following:
``(iv) providing professional development
and personnel enhancement activities, including
the provision of funds to recipients of grants
under subsection (a), relating to effective
methods of conducting parent education, home
visiting, and promoting quality early childhood
development.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Staff Qualifications and Development.--
``(1) Home visitor staff.--
``(A) Standards.--In order to further enhance the
quality of home visiting services provided to families
of children participating in home-based, center-based,
or combination program options under this subchapter,
the Secretary shall establish standards for training,
qualifications, and the conduct of home visits for home
visitor staff in Early Head Start programs.
``(B) Contents.--The standards for training,
qualifications, and the conduct of home visits shall
include content related to--
``(i) structured child-focused home
visiting that promotes parents' ability to
support the child's cognitive, social,
emotional, and physical development;
``(ii) effective strengths-based parent
education, including methods to encourage
parents as their child's first teachers;
``(iii) early childhood development with
respect to children from birth through age 3;
``(iv) methods to help parents promote
emergent literacy in their children from birth
through age 3;
``(v) health, vision, hearing, and
developmental screenings;
``(vi) strategies for helping families
coping with crisis; and
``(vii) the relationship of health and
well-being of pregnant women to prenatal and
early child development.''.
SEC. 7. TARGETED GRANTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITATION FOR
FAMILIES WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary
of Education, shall make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible
applicants to enable such applicants to support and expand local
efforts to deliver services under the Parents as Teachers programs, or
other quality programs of early childhood home visitation, 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 defined in
section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary 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 and are
capable of establishing and implementing programs of early
childhood home visitation.
(c) Applications.--An eligible applicant that desires to receive a
grant under this section shall submit an application 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 assessment that
describes--
(A) community demographics demonstrating the need
for outreach and services to eligible families with
English language learners;
(B) the quality, capacity, and existing programs of
early childhood home visitation for eligible families
with English language learners;
(C) the gaps in programs of early childhood home
visitation for eligible families with English language
learners; and
(D) the type of program of early childhood home
visitation necessary to address the gaps identified;
(2) the program of early childhood home visitation 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 activities described
in subsection (f);
(5) how services provided through a grant under this
section will use materials that are geared toward eligible
families with English language learners;
(6) how the activities under this section will be
coordinated with existing programs of early childhood home
visitation, if such programs exist in the community, in an
effort to promote 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) eligible families with English language
learners are linked to schools; and
(B) the activities under this section will support
the preparation of children for school;
(8) how channels of communication will be established
between staff of programs of early childhood home visitation
and staff of other early childhood education programs, such as
Head Start programs carried 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 coordination of services for
eligible families with English language learners;
(9) how eligible families with English language learners
will be recruited and retained to receive services under this
section;
(10) how training and technical assistance will 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;
(11) how the eligible applicant will evaluate the
activities supported under this section in order to demonstrate
outcomes related to the--
(A) increase in number of eligible families with
English language learners served by programs of early
childhood home visitation;
(B) enhancement of participating parents' knowledge
of early learning and development;
(C) enhancement of positive parenting practices
related to early learning and development; and
(D) enhancement of children's cognitive, language,
social-emotional, and physical development; and
(12) such other information as the Secretary may require.
(d) Approval of Applications.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall select applicants 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 less than--
(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 serving
eligible families with English language learners; and
(D) 1 individual who is a board certified
pediatrician.
(e) Duration of Grants.--Grants made under this section shall be
for a period of no more than 3 years.
(f) Authorized Activities.--Each eligible applicant 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 Parents as Teachers programs, or
other quality programs of early childhood home visitation that
are research-based, that provide parents with--
(A) knowledge of age appropriate child development
in cognitive, language, social-emotional, and motor
domains;
(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 enhance
age-appropriate development;
(F) skills to recognize and seek help for health
issues and developmental delays; and
(G) activities designed to help parents become full
partners in the education of their children.
(2) Conducting annual health, vision, hearing, and
developmental screening for participating children who are
English language learners.
(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 literacy programs, employment agencies,
social services, and child care resource and referral agencies.
(4) Offering group meetings, on not less frequently than a
monthly basis, for eligible families with English language
learners that--
(A) further enhance the information, activities,
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 families
with English language learners.
(5) Providing training and technical assistance to early
childhood home visitation and early childhood care and
education staff relating to--
(A) effective service to eligible families with
English language learners;
(B) effective methods of conducting parent
education, home visiting, and promoting quality early
childhood development;
(C) the relationship of health and well-being of
pregnant women to prenatal and early child development;
(D) early childhood development with respect to
children from birth until entry into kindergarten;
(E) methods to help parents promote emergent
literacy in their children from birth until entry into
kindergarten;
(F) implementing strategies for helping eligible
families with English language learners coping with a
crisis;
(G) recruiting, supervising, and retaining
qualified staff;
(H) increasing services for underserved eligible
families with English language learners;
(I) methods to help parents effectively respond to
their children's needs and behaviors; and
(J) implementation of ongoing program quality
improvement and evaluation of activities and outcomes.
(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.
(g) Supplement Not Supplant.--Grant funds provided 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 $50,000,000 for the period of
fiscal years 2006 through 2008.
SEC. 8. TARGETED GRANTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITATION FOR
MILITARY FAMILIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with
the Secretary of Education, shall make grants, on a competitive basis,
to eligible applicants to enable such applicants to support and expand
efforts to deliver services under the Parents as Teachers programs, or
other quality programs of early childhood home visitation, 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 payments under
title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary 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 application to the Secretary
of Defense at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary of Defense may require. The application
shall include a description of--
(1) the results of a communitywide needs assessment that
describes--
(A) community demographics demonstrating the need
for outreach and services to eligible families with a
family member in the Armed Forces;
(B) the quality, capacity, and 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 family 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 visitation 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 activities described
in subsection (f);
(5) how services provided through a grant under this
section will use materials that are geared toward eligible
families with a family member in the Armed Forces;
(6) how the activities under this section will be
coordinated with existing programs of early childhood home
visitation, if such programs 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) eligible families with a family member in the
Armed Forces are linked to schools; and
(B) the activities under this section will support
the preparation of children for school;
(8) how channels of communication will be established
between staff of programs of early childhood home visitation
and staff of other early childhood education programs,
preschool programs, family support programs, and child care
programs, to facilitate the coordination of services for
eligible families 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 help staff
of 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) increase in number of eligible families with a
family member in the Armed Forces served by programs of
early childhood home visitation;
(B) enhancement of participating parents' knowledge
of early learning and development;
(C) enhancement of positive parenting practices
related to early learning and development; and
(D) enhancement of children's cognitive, language,
social-emotional, and physical development; and
(12) 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 recommendations of a peer review
panel, as described in paragraph (2).
(2) Peer review panel.--The peer review panel shall include
not less than--
(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 family support
for military families; and
(D) 1 individual who is a board certified
pediatrician.
(e) Duration of Grants.--Grants made under this section shall be
for a period of no more than 3 years.
(f) Authorized Activities.--Each eligible applicant 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 implementation of Parents as
Teachers programs, or other quality programs of early childhood
home visitation that are research-based, that provide parents
with--
(A) knowledge of age appropriate child development
in cognitive, language, social-emotional, and motor
domains;
(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 enhance
age-appropriate development;
(F) skills to recognize and seek help for health
issues and developmental delays; and
(G) activities designed to help parents become full
partners in the education of their children.
(2) Conducting annual health, vision, hearing, and
developmental screening for participating children.
(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 programs, child care services,
health or mental health services, family literacy programs,
employment agencies, social services, and child care resource
and referral agencies.
(4) Offering group meetings, 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, activities,
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 families
with a family member in the Armed Forces.
(5) Providing training and technical assistance to early
childhood home visitation and early childhood care and
education staff relating to--
(A) effective service to eligible families with a
family member in the Armed Forces;
(B) effective methods of conducting parent
education, home visiting, and promoting quality early
childhood development;
(C) the relationship of health and well-being of
pregnant women to prenatal and early child development;
(D) early childhood development with respect to
children from birth until entry into kindergarten;
(E) methods to help parents promote emergent
literacy in their children from birth until entry into
kindergarten;
(F) implementing strategies for helping eligible
families with a family member in the Armed Forces
coping with crisis;
(G) recruiting, supervising, and retaining
qualified staff;
(H) increasing services for underserved eligible
families with a family member in the Armed Forces;
(I) methods to help parents effectively respond to
their children's needs and behaviors; and
(J) implementation of ongoing program quality
improvement and evaluation of activities and outcomes.
(6) Coordinating existing programs of early childhood home
visitation in order to effectively and efficiently meet the
needs of more eligible families with a family member in the
Armed Forces.
(g) Supplement Not Supplant.--Grant funds provided 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 $50,000,000 for the period of
fiscal years 2006 through 2008.
SEC. 9. EVALUATION.
(a) In General.--From funds reserved under section 5(b)(1)(A), the
Secretary shall conduct an independent evaluation of the effectiveness
of this Act.
(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 conducted pursuant to subsection (a)
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of
the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of
the House of Representatives.
(2) Final report.--Not later than 3 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) Contents.--The reports submitted under subsection (b) shall
include information on the following:
(1) How the grant funds have expanded access to early
childhood home visitation.
(2) How the States are--
(A) enhancing parents' knowledge of early learning
and development;
(B) enhancing positive parenting practices related
to early learning and development; and
(C) enhancing children's cognitive, language,
social-emotional, and physical development.
(3) The effectiveness of early childhood home visitation on
different populations, including families with English language
learners and families with a family member in the Armed Forces.
(4) The effectiveness of the training and technical
assistance activities funded under this Act.
(5) Recommendations on strengthening or modifying this Act.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2009-2010)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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