Sec. 3.

The departments shall only support home visitation programs that are either of the following:

(a) Evidence-based programs that are based on a clear, consistent program or model that are or do all of the following:

(i) Research-based and grounded in relevant, empirically based knowledge. Evidence-based programs are linked to program-determined outcomes and are associated with a national organization, institution of higher education, or national or state public health institute. Evidence-based programs have comprehensive home visitation standards that ensure high-quality service delivery and continuous quality improvement, have demonstrated significant, sustained positive outcomes, and either have been evaluated using rigorous randomized controlled research designs and the evaluation results have been published in a peer-reviewed journal or are based on quasi-experimental research using 2 or more separate, comparable client samples.

(ii) Follow a program manual or design that specifies the purpose, outcomes, duration, and frequency of service that constitute the program.

(iii) Employ well-trained and competent staff and provide continual professional development relevant to the specific program model being delivered.

(iv) Demonstrate strong links to other community-based services.

(v) Operate within an organization that ensures compliance with home visitation standards.

(vi) Operate with fidelity to the program or model.

(b) Promising programs that do not meet the criteria of evidenced-based programs but are or do all of the following:

(i) Have data or evidence demonstrating effectiveness at achieving positive outcomes for pregnant women, infants, children, or their families. There must be an active evaluation of each promising program, or there must be a demonstration of a plan and timeline for that evaluation. The timeline shall include a projected time frame for transition from a promising program to an evidence-based program.

(ii) Follow a manual or design that specifies the program's purpose, outcomes, duration, and frequency of service.

(iii) Employ well-trained and competent staff and provide continual professional development relevant to the specific program model being delivered.

(iv) Demonstrate strong links to other community-based services.

(v) Operate within an organization that ensures compliance with home visitation standards.

(vi) Operate with fidelity to the program or model.

History: 2012, Act 291, Eff. Mar. 28, 2013