Mother in military clothing kisses her son's cheek as he smiles

Model Profiles

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2023 Yearbook

Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-Visiting

Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-Visiting (MECSH) aims to improve the health, development, and social well-being of families with new babies in need of additional sustained support. The model supports positive transitions to parenting, positive parenting skills, future-oriented and aspirational thinking, problem-solving skills, the ability to mobilize resources, and healthy relationships.

What is the model’s approach to providing home visiting services?

Home visits take place based on the child’s age. Families may receive three prenatal visits. After the child’s birth, families receive visits weekly until the child is 6 weeks old, every 2 weeks until the child is 12 weeks old, every 3 weeks until the child is 6 months old, every 6 weeks until the child is 12 months old, and every 2 months until the child is 2 years old. MECSH recommends families initiate services prenatally, but allows for families to enroll until the child is 2 months old.

MECSH’s target population includes the following:

  • Expectant mothers
  • Low-income families
  • Unmarried mothers or single parents
  • Parents/caregivers with limited education
  • Families with a history of substance abuse or in need of treatment
  • Families with a history of child abuse or neglect/involvement with child welfare system
  • Families with mental health issues, including maternal depression and anxiety

Who is implementing the model?

Home Visitors

The model requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing for home visitors. Home visitors are required to maintain a caseload of 20 to 30 families.

Supervisors

The model requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing for supervisors.

Where is the model implemented?

MECSH operated in 6 local agencies in 1 state in 2019. MECSH also operated outside the United States and its territories in Australia, South Korea, and the United Kingdom in 2019.