[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2343 Reported in House (RH)]






                                                 Union Calendar No. 559
110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 2343

                      [Report No. 110-818, Part I]

  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.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 16, 2007

   Mr. Davis of Illinois (for himself and Mr. Platts) introduced the 
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and 
Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period 
    to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

                             August 1, 2008

  Reported from the Committee on Education and Labor with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

                             August 1, 2008

   Referral to the Committee on Armed Services extended for a period 
                ending not later than September 12, 2008

                           September 12, 2008

   Referral to the Committee on Armed Services extended for a period 
                ending not later than September 19, 2008

                           September 19, 2008

Additional sponsors: Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Bishop 
of Georgia, Mr. Clay, Mr. McCotter, Mr. LaHood, Mr. Hulshof, Mrs. Davis 
 of California, Mr. Boswell, Mr. Boucher, Mr. Price of North Carolina, 
    Mr. Moore of Kansas, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Honda, Mr. 
 Jefferson, Mr. Miller of North Carolina, Mr. Petri, Mr. Kucinich, Mr. 
 McHugh, Mr. Carnahan, Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Linda T. Sanchez 
 of California, Mr. Michaud, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr. Souder, 
 Mrs. McCarthy of New York, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Mr. Brady of 
 Pennsylvania, Mr. Ehlers, Mr. Conyers, Ms. Hooley, Mr. Cummings, Mr. 
Allen, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Hare, Mr. Altmire, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Doggett, 
Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Payne, Mr. Hinchey, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. 
 Scott of Virginia, Mr. Kuhl of New York, Mr. Rush, Mr. McDermott, Ms. 
Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. McNulty, Mr. Emanuel, Mr. Berry, Mr. Inslee, 
 Mr. Renzi, Mr. Loebsack, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Wamp, Mr. Tierney, Mr. Holt, 
 Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Wu, Mr. Murtha, and Ms. Moore 
                              of Wisconsin

                           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
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on May 16, 
                                 2007]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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.

    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 of 
2008''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) 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) parent education and family support 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 communities 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.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are as follows:
            (1) To enable States, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, 
        territories, or possessions to deliver quality programs of 
        early childhood home visitation to pregnant women and parents 
        of children from birth until entry into kindergarten in order 
        to promote positive outcomes for children and families 
        including: readiness for school, improved child health and 
        development, positive parenting practices, reductions in child 
        maltreatment, and enhanced parenting abilities to support their 
        children's optimal cognitive, language, social-emotional, and 
        physical development.
            (2) To expand quality programs of early childhood home 
        visitation so as to more effectively reach and serve families 
        with English language learners.
            (3) To expand quality programs of early childhood home 
        visitation so as to more effectively reach and serve families 
        serving in the military.
            (4) To establish a public education and awareness campaign 
        concerning the importance of the proper care of infants and 
        young children.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Eligible family.--The term ``eligible family'' means--
                    (A) a woman who is pregnant and the father of the 
                child if the father is available; or
                    (B) a parent or primary caregiver of a child under 
                the age of entry into kindergarten, including 
                grandparents or other relatives of the child, and 
                foster parents (including kinship caregivers), who are 
                serving as the primary caregiver, including a 
                noncustodial parent who has an on-going relationship 
                with and, at times, provides physical care for such 
                child.
            (2) English language learner.--The term ``English language 
        learner'', used with respect to an individual, means an 
        individual--
                    (A) who--
                            (i) was not born in the United States or 
                        whose native language is a language other than 
                        English;
                            (ii)(I) is a Native American (as defined in 
                        section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)), an 
                        Alaska Native, or a native resident of an 
                        outlying area (as defined in such section 
                        9101); and
                            (II) comes from an environment where a 
                        language other than English has had a 
                        significant impact on the individual's level of 
                        English language proficiency; or
                            (iii) is migratory, whose native language 
                        is a language other than English, and who comes 
                        from an environment where a language other than 
                        English is dominant; and
                    (B) whose difficulties in speaking or understanding 
                the English language may be sufficient to deny such 
                individual--
                            (i) the ability to successfully achieve in 
                        a classroom in which the language of 
                        instruction is English; or
                            (ii) the opportunity to participate fully 
                        in society.
            (3) Home visitation.--The term ``home visitation'' means 
        services provided in the permanent or temporary residence, or 
        in a mutually agreed upon location in the community, of the 
        individual receiving such services.
            (4) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
            (5) Secretary.--Except as provided in section 6, the term 
        ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
            (6) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States, 
        the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
            (7) Territories and possessions.--The term ``territories 
        and possessions'' shall include American Samoa, the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the 
        United States Virgin Islands.
            (8) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal organization'' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 4(l) of the Indian 
        Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
        450b).

SEC. 4. GRANTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITATION.

    (a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Education, shall make grants to States, Indian tribes, 
tribal organizations, territories and possessions to enable States, 
Indian tribes, tribal organizations, territories and possessions to 
establish or expand quality programs of early childhood home visitation 
as specified under subsection (e). Each grant shall consist of the 
allotment determined 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 7;
                    (B) not more than 3 percent for Federal 
                administrative costs;
                    (C) not more than 2 percent of the funds 
                appropriated for any fiscal year for payments to Indian 
                tribes or tribal organizations with an approved 
                application under this section;
                    (D) not more than \1/2\ of 1 percent of the funds 
                appropriated for any fiscal year for payments to 
                territories and possessions with an approved 
                application under this section; and
                    (E) 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 
                eligible States the total amount made available to 
                carry out this section for any fiscal year and not 
                reserved under paragraph (1), to support early 
                childhood home visitation programs in accordance with 
                this section.
                    (B) Determination of state allotments.--The 
                Secretary shall allot the amount made available under 
                subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year among the eligible 
                States in proportion to the number of children, aged 
                from birth through 5 years from families whose income 
                is below the poverty line, who reside within the State, 
                compared to the number of such individuals who reside 
                in all such States for that fiscal year.
            (3) Payments to tribes and territories.--
                    (A) Out of the funds reserved under paragraph 
                (1)(C), the Secretary shall provide funds to each 
                Indian tribe or tribal organization with an approved 
                application under this section in accordance with the 
                respective needs described in that application.
                    (B) Out of the funds reserved under paragraph 
                (1)(D), the Secretary shall provide funds to each 
                territory or possession with an approved application 
                under this section in accordance with the respective 
                needs described in that application.
            (4) Applications of indian tribes, tribal organizations, 
        territories, or possessions.--
                    (A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary 
                shall approve an application of an Indian tribe, tribal 
                organization, territory, or possession based on the 
                quality of the application.
                    (B) The Secretary may exempt an application 
                submitted by an Indian tribe, tribal organization, 
                territory, or possession from any requirement of this 
                section that the Secretary determines would be 
                inappropriate to apply taking into account the 
                resources, needs, and other circumstances of the Indian 
                tribe, tribal organization territory, or possession 
                with the exception of the provision of quality early 
                childhood home visitation and participation in the 
                independent evaluation outlined in section 7.
            (5) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this section $150,000,000 for 
        fiscal year 2009 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal 
        years 2010 through 2013.
    (c) Grant Applications.--A State, Indian tribe, tribal 
organization, territory, or possession 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. For the purposes of this subsection, the term ``State'' 
includes Indian tribes, tribal organizations, territories, or 
possessions. 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 reserve 3 percent of 
        such grant for evaluation and will participate in the 
        independent evaluation under section 7.
            (3) An assurance that the State will reserve 10 percent of 
        the grant funds for training and technical assistance to 
        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) An assurance that in supporting early childhood home 
        visitation programs under this section the State shall identify 
        and prioritize serving communities that are in high need of 
        such services, such as communities with--
                    (A) low student achievement;
                    (B) high rates of teen pregnancy;
                    (C) high proportions of low income families;
                    (D) high incidences of child abuse;
                    (E) high rates of children with developmental 
                delays or disabilities;
                    (F) large concentrations of individuals who are 
                English language learners;
                    (G) large concentrations of individuals currently 
                serving in the Armed Forces; and
                    (H) large concentrations of individuals who 
                formerly served in the Armed Forces.
            (6) 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, including identification of communities that 
                are in high need of such services.
            (7) A State plan containing the following:
                    (A) A description of the State's plan to prioritize 
                establishing or expanding high quality programs of 
                early childhood home visitation programs in communities 
                that are in high need of such programs.
                    (B) A description of the high 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 (e).
                    (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 programs to ensure 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 
                collaboration among a broad range of child- and family-
                serving programs, including--
                            (i) early childhood home visitation 
                        programs, including targeted grants awarded 
                        under sections 5 and 6;
                            (ii) early childhood care and education 
                        programs;
                            (iii) activities carried out under part C 
                        of the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
                        Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) and section 619 of 
                        the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
                        (20 U.S.C. 1419);
                            (iv) child abuse prevention and treatment 
                        programs, and State and local child protection 
                        systems;
                            (v) Medicaid and State Children's Health 
                        Insurance programs;
                            (vi) nutrition assistance programs;
                            (vii) parental substance abuse and mental 
                        health prevention and treatment programs;
                            (viii) domestic and family violence 
                        prevention programs;
                            (ix) child support enforcement programs;
                            (x) workforce development programs;
                            (xi) the State Temporary Assistance to 
                        Needy Families program;
                            (xii) early childhood intervention 
                        programs, such as mental health prevention and 
                        treatment services;
                            (xiii) State and local educational 
                        agencies; and
                            (xiv) other appropriate child-serving 
                        programs in the State in order to facilitate 
                        the coordinated delivery of services for 
                        eligible families.
                    (G) How the lead State agency will provide for the 
                training and technical assistance to programs of early 
                childhood home visitation involved in activities under 
                this section to more effectively meet the needs of the 
                eligible families served, with sensitivity to cultural 
                variations in attitudes toward formal support services 
                and parenting norms.
                    (H) How the lead State agency will evaluate the 
                activities supported under this section in order to 
                assess outcomes including, but not limited to--
                            (i) parental outcomes related to child 
                        health and development, including parent 
                        knowledge of early learning and development;
                            (ii) child health, cognitive, language, 
                        social-emotional, and physical development;
                            (iii) child maltreatment;
                            (iv) school readiness; and
                            (v) links to community services.
                    (I) A description of how the lead State agency will 
                ensure home visitation programs prioritize outreach 
                activities to target fathers and include fathers in the 
                program where safe and appropriate.
                    (J) A description of how the lead State agency will 
                ensure that services are made available under the 
                program to grandparents, other relatives or foster 
                parents, of a child from birth through age 5 who serve 
                as the primary caregiver of the child.
                    (K) 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 recommendations of a peer 
        review panel, as described in paragraph (2).
            (2) Peer review panel.--The peer review panel shall include 
        individuals with experience in varying models of home 
        visitation, including not fewer 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 expertise implementing a 
                statewide program of early childhood home visitation;
                    (D) 1 individual who is a board certified 
                pediatrician or a developmental pediatrician; and
                    (E) 1 individual with experience in administering 
                public or private (including community-based) child 
                maltreatment prevention programs.
            (3) Recommendations.--The panel shall recommend applicants 
        to the Secretary based on the quality of their applications. In 
        addition to ensuring that the application is complete, the 
        panel shall consider--
                    (A) the quality of the statewide needs assessment, 
                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 services 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 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 
                        organization or institution of higher education 
                        (as defined under section 101 of the Higher 
                        Education Act of 1965), that has comprehensive 
                        home visitation program standards, including 
                        standardized training and on-going professional 
                        development, that ensure high quality service 
                        delivery and continuous 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;
                    (B) employ well-trained and competent staff, as 
                demonstrated by education or training, and the 
                provision of ongoing and specific training 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 referral 
                networks to other community resources and supports;
                    (F) monitor fidelity of program implementation to 
                assure that services are delivered according to the 
                specified model;
                    (G) establish procedures to promote participation 
                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;
                            (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 behavioral 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 providers 
                of such services to eliminate gaps in service by 
                offering annual health, vision, hearing, and 
                developmental screening for children from birth to 
                entry into kindergarten, when not otherwise provided;
                    (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, employment 
                agencies, social services, fatherhood programs, and 
                child care resource and referral agencies; and
                    (K) offer group meetings (at program discretion) 
                for eligible families that--
                            (i) further enhance the information, 
                        activities, and skill-building addressed during 
                        home visitation; and
                            (ii) offer opportunities for parents to 
                        meet with and support each other.
            (2) reserve 10 percent of the grant funds to provide 
        training and technical assistance, directly or through 
        contract, to early childhood home visitation programs relating 
        to--
                    (A) effective methods of implementing parent 
                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 childhood 
                development;
                    (C) early childhood development with respect to 
                children from birth until entry into kindergarten;
                    (D) methods to help parents promote emergent 
                literacy, including second language acquisition for 
                English language learners, 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;
                    (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 provided being 
                consistent with State or local child welfare agency 
                training;
                    (L) effective methods of successfully engaging 
                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 development;
            (3) ensure representatives from high quality programs of 
        early childhood home visitation operating in the State are 
        included in an existing State-level early childhood 
        coordinating body, such as the State Advisory 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 
        implementation 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 administration of the 
        grant, including planning, administration, 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 expenditures within the State for 
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.
    (g)(1) State Match.--In order to receive an allotment 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 accordance with the requirements of 
this section.
    (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) actual service delivery provided under the grant 
        including--
                    (A) program characteristics, including descriptive 
                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 indicators;
                    (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;
            (4) the training and technical assistance, including 
        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 subsection (c)(7)(H); 
        and
            (6) the annual program implementation costs, including the 
        cost per family served under the program.

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 competitive basis, to eligible 
applicants to enable such applicants to support and expand local 
efforts to deliver services through 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 high quality 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 
        demonstrates the need for services to eligible families with 
        English language learners and describes--
                    (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;
            (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 (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 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) where appropriate to the program goals of the 
                home visiting model, families participating in early 
                childhood home visitation programs with English 
                language learners 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;
            (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 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;
            (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 outreach 
        activities to target both mothers and fathers and increase 
        father involvement where safe and appropriate; and
            (13) 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 fewer 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;
                    (D) 1 individual who is a board certified 
                pediatrician or a developmental pediatrician; and
                    (E) 1 individual with expertise in administering 
                public or private (including community-based) child 
                maltreatment prevention programs.
    (e) 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 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 issues 
                related to health, developmental delays, and social, 
                emotional, and behavioral skills; and
                    (G) activities designed to help parents become full 
                partners in the education of their children.
            (2) Ascertaining what health and developmental services the 
        family receives and working with these providers to eliminate 
        gaps in service by offering annual health, vision, hearing, and 
        developmental screening for children from birth to entry into 
        kindergarten, 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 literacy programs, employment agencies, 
        social services, and child care resource and referral agencies.
            (4) Offering group meetings (at program discretion), 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 staff relating to--
                    (A) effective service to eligible families with 
                English language learners, including skills to address 
                challenges facing English language learners;
                    (B) effective methods of implementing parent 
                education, conducting home visiting, and promoting 
                quality early childhood development, with sensitivity 
                to cultural variations in parenting norms and attitudes 
                toward formal support services;
                    (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;
                    (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 development.
            (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 
description of--
            (1) actual service delivery provided under the grant 
        including--
                    (A) program characteristics including descriptive 
                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 number, 
                demographic characteristics, and rates of family 
                retention in programs; and
                    (D) an estimate of annual program implementation 
                costs;
            (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 indicators;
                    (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, including 
        ongoing professional development, provided to programs 
        supported under the grant.
    (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 $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 
and such sums for fiscal years 2010 through 2013.

SEC. 6. TARGETED GRANTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITATION FOR 
              MILITARY FAMILIES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense, in consultation 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 applicants to support and expand efforts to deliver 
services through high 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 
        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 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 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 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) where appropriate to the program goals of the 
                home visiting model, families participating in early 
                childhood home visitation programs 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;
            (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, 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 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 family 
                member in the Armed Forces 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 outreach 
        activities to target both mothers and fathers and increase 
        father involvement where safe and appropriate; 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 recommendations 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;
                    (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 administering 
                public or private (including community-based) child 
                maltreatment prevention programs.
    (e) 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 quality programs 
        of early childhood home visitation that are research-based and 
        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 issues 
                related to health, developmental delays, and social, 
                emotional, and behavioral skills; and
                    (G) activities designed to help parents become full 
                partners in the education of their children.
            (2) Ascertaining what health and developmental services the 
        family receives and working with these providers to eliminate 
        gaps in service by offering annual health, vision, hearing, and 
        developmental screening for children from birth to entry into 
        kindergarten, 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 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 (at program discretion), 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 staff relating to--
                    (A) effective service to eligible families with a 
                family member in the Armed Forces;
                    (B) effective methods of implementing parent 
                education, conducting home visiting, and promoting 
                quality early childhood development, with sensitivity 
                to cultural variations in parenting norms and attitudes 
                toward formal support services;
                    (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;
                    (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 development.
            (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.
    (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 
description of--
            (1) actual service delivery provided under the grant 
        including--
                    (A) program characteristics including descriptive 
                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 number, 
                demographic characteristics, and family retention; and
                    (D) an estimate of annual program implementation 
                costs;
            (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 indicators;
                    (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, including 
        ongoing professional development, provided to programs 
        supported under the grant.
    (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 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.
    (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 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 readiness, and links to community services.
            (2) The effectiveness of early childhood home visitation on 
        different populations, including the extent to which 
        variability exists in program ability to improve outcomes 
        across programs and populations.

SEC. 8. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall annually provide 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, information on the activities carried out under this Act.
    (b) Content.--The reports submitted under this section 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 characteristics of 
                the families served, and family retention and duration 
                of services;
            (4) program-reported outcomes;
            (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, including on-
        going professional development, provided to programs; and
            (8) the annual program implementation costs, including the 
        cost per family served under the program.

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 
demands and stress associated with caring for infants, positive 
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 depression.
    (b) Elements.--
            (1) In general.--The campaign developed under subsection 
        (a) shall include the following elements:
                    (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, including 
                information about research-based home visiting 
                programs, respite care, crisis nurseries, and parent 
                support networks, to parents, caregivers, maternity 
                hospitals, children's hospitals, pediatricians, child 
                care centers, organizations providing prenatal and 
                postnatal care, and organizations providing parenting 
                education and support services.
                    (D) Connection to existing parental involvement 
                programs.
            (2) Existing programs.--The Secretary, in implementing 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 children's cognitive skills, early literacy 
        skills, social or emotional and physical development and 
        existing prenatal and early childhood home visitation programs.
            (3) Existing state requirements.--The Secretary, in 
        implementing and executing the public information and 
        educational campaign under this section, shall consider with 
        pre-existing State requirements to ensure that no unnecessary 
        burdens are placed on hospitals, military hospitals, and birth 
        centers 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.
                                                 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