Project

Mother and Infant Home Visiting Program Evaluation–Strong Start

about the project

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Client

Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families

Expectant women who have low incomes or struggle to afford health insurance are at risk for poor health outcomes—for themselves and their babies.

The Mother and Infant Home Visiting Program Evaluation (MIHOPE)–Strong Start examined the effectiveness of two evidence-based home visiting models (Healthy Families America and Nurse-Family Partnership) in improving outcomes among women and infants enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Key research questions included—

  • What is the impact on birth outcomes, maternal and infant health, and health care use for local home visiting programs that use these models?
  • How do impacts vary for key subgroups, such as smokers and young mothers?
  • What is the impact on Strong Start outcomes?
  • How do programs using these models achieve their results?

JBA contributed to the design of this large random assignment study and led the analysis of service delivery data from local, state, and national systems. Support for data collection included instrument testing, site recruitment and selection, and training. We also conducted and analyzed interviews with state home visiting agencies and partners and contributed to reports and briefings on the study findings for federal staff and other stakeholders.

Staff

  • Jill Filene Jill Filene, M.P.H. Executive Vice President of Research and Evaluation

    Jill Filene has more than 25 years of experience in applied research, program evaluation, and technical assistance. Her areas of expertise include home...

  • Alexandra Joraanstad, M.S. Senior Research Associate

    Alexandra Joraanstad has more than 10 years of experience conducting social science research and evaluation. Her work has primarily focused on home...

  • ​Yuan Wang, M.S. Senior Research Analyst

    Yuan Wang has more than 15 years of experience in applied statistical research, capacity building technical assistance, qualitative research, complex survey...

  • Patrice Cachat, M.S.W. Research Associate

    Patrice Cachat has nearly 20 years of experience in child and family services with extensive knowledge in child welfare and protection and child and adolescent...

  • Mariel Sparr, Ph.D., M.A. Director
  • Grace Atukpawu-Tipton, Ph.D., M.S.W. Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Senior Research Associate
  • Julie Leis, Ph.D. Senior Research Associate

Partners

MDRC, Mathematica Policy Research, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Resources

about the project

Topics

Capabilities

Status

Client

Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families