Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker Program
Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker Program (MIHOW)’s primary goal is to improve maternal and child health outcomes through a strength-based approach to home visiting. MIHOW trains community health workers to support women during pregnancy to become physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy for their baby’s arrival. Once the baby is born, MIHOW focuses on promoting positive parent-child interactions and establishing a safe, stable, nurturing environment.
What is the model’s approach to providing home visiting services?
Home visits take place once per month. Services are provided until the child is 3 years old. MIHOW requires at least 80 percent of families served to initiate services prenatally.
MIHOW’s service population includes the following:
- Expectant caregivers
- First-time caregivers
- Caregivers under 21 years old
- Caregivers who are unmarried or single
- Caregivers with limited access to education
- Families with low incomes
- Caregivers experiencing physical/social isolation or limited support system
- Families experiencing language barriers
Who is implementing the model?
Home Visitors
MIHOW was implemented by 12 full-time equivalent home visitors in 2022. The model recommends a high school diploma or GED and experience in the community for home visitors. The maximum caseload requirement for home visitors is 40 families.
Supervisors
MIHOW was implemented by 10 supervisors in 2022. The model recommends a bachelor’s degree for supervisors.
Where is the model implemented?
MIHOW operated in 10 local agencies across 4 states in 2022.
Families Served Through Evidence-Based Home Visiting in 2022
Primary language
100% English
0% Spanish
Caregiver age
38% ≤21 years
41% 22-29 years
21% 30-44 years
1% ≥45 years
Caregiver education
19% No HS diploma
59% HS diploma or GED
16% Some college or training
9% Bachelor's degree or higher
Child insurance status
93% Public
7% Private
Household income
87% Low-income status
13% Not low-income status
Child age
74% <1 year
26% 1-2 years