​BACKGROUND

The Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDOH) is the state agency responsible for all matters related to public health including the administration of programs funded through the Title V Block Grant. PR Title V consists of the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program (MCAH) housed in the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Section (MCAS), and the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program (CSHCN) located in the Children with Special Medical Needs Section (CSMNS).  Puerto Rico Title V provides services and implements initiatives in the seven PRDOH Health Regions.  Within the MCAH, the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHVP) addresses the areas of women’s health, pregnant women’s health, infant health, and child health.

The MCAH of PRDOH administers the Puerto Rico Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (PR-MIECHVP), known locally as Familias Saludables Puerto Rico (FSPR).  The Program purpose is to offer services to high-risk pregnant women using strength based, family-centered partnerships and relationship-based interactions. PR-MIECHVP intends to continue improving the home visiting services available in Puerto Rico that strive to improve its maternal, child, and family health by increasing the capacity to effectively deliver evidence-based home visiting services implemented with fidelity.  The program uses the Healthy Families America (HFA) evidence-based home visiting model with the Growing Great Kids (GGK) evidence-based curriculum.  PR-MIECHVP has been impacting high risk mothers from Barranquitas, Orocovis, Maunabo, Patillas, Arroyo, Lares, Quebradillas, Santa Isabel, Salinas, Toa Alta, and Naranjito.  These eleven municipalities have been identified with high incidence of health, socioemotional, and socioeconomic risk factors.  To deliver the services, PRDOH contract Local Implementing Agencies (LIAs) to deliver the services in the municipalities selected from the 2020 MIECHV Statewide Needs Assessment.

PR-MIECHVP must meet with the established selection criteria negotiated by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), giving priority to:

• Families with low socioeconomic status.

• Pregnant women who meet the selection criteria.

• Women and infants with a history of child abuse or neglect, or who receive services from the Department of the Family.

• Women with a history of substance abuse or who need treatment for substance abuse, or who live in homes where tobacco is used.

• Families with children who show signs of poor school performance, developmental delays or disabilities.

• Families who serve in the armed forces or that have served in the armed forces.

The Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Section (MCAHS) promotes and fosters the active participation of nonprofit community-based organizations (CBOs) for the delivery of these services.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROPOSAL

The LIA that will offer the services of PR-MIECHV program in Ponce, Villalba and Juana Diaz must implement and follow up the Healthy Families America (HFA) model and Growing Great Kids (GGK) curriculums.  With the implementation of HFA and GGK, both evidence-based, PR-MIECHVP in Ponce, Villalba and Juana Diaz must:

1. Improve health of children and women of childbearing age.

2. Reduce intentional and unintentional injuries.

3. Improve school readiness and achievement.

4. Reduce rates of domestic violence.

5. Increase family economic self-sufficiency.

6. Improve coordination and referrals to other community resources and support.

7. Provide high-quality maternal and child home visiting services.

DESCRIPTION AND EXPERIENCE OF THE PROPOSER

Include a summary of the organization’s background, its facilities and a statement indicating that a space is available for the staff that will be recruited.  Indicate the organizational structure, services provided, population served, and mission.  Answer the following questions:

1. What prompted you to consider applying for funds for PR-MIECHVP from the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Section of the Department of health?

2. How is PR-MIECHVP going to benefit your organization and the population it serves?

3. How do you link the PR-MIECHVP program with others you run?

4. Have you implemented any evidence-based programs?

5. What is the complaint handling process?

6. What is the Human Resources process to recruit staff and if the staff does not fulfill the required functions?

7. What benefits would you offer to PR-MIECHVP hired staff? (Health insurance, sick or vacation days, bonuses, etc.)

The organization must be a community service provider in the local environment where the program is going to be implemented.  They also need to have substantial experience in offering services based on community needs and preferences and have financial solvency.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SERVICES REQUESTED

1. Recruit and retain the personnel that will implement the Healthy Families Puerto Rico program (Ponce, Villalba and Juana Diaz).  The team required to offer services in these municipalities consists of one Supervisor, four Home Visitors, a Family Evaluator, and a Data Manager.  The organization will be in constant communication with the Program Coordinator to assist in the recruitment of staff following the HFA and GGK requirements.  As established by the Healthy Families America (HFA) evidence-based model and the requirements of the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDOH), it is essential that the staff hired by the Local Implementing Agency (LIA) maintain ongoing and direct communication with the PR-MIECHV Program Coordinator.  This communication is critical to ensure fidelity to the model, alignment with program standards, and timely technical support.  The Program Coordinator is trained and certified in both the HFA model and the Growing Great Kids (GGK) curriculum and is responsible for guiding, supervising, and supporting the proper implementation of the program. 

The LIA must ensure that its personnel, specifically those hired to implement the PR-MIECHVP in Ponce, Villalba and Juana Diaz, are available and willing to engage directly with the Program Coordinator, as required by the evidence-based model and the oversight expectations of federal and state agencies.  Furthermore, the Program Coordinator will oversee that all staff members receive the required training aligned with the standards of the HFA model and the GGK curriculum.
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