DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Update On Family Home Visiting Program
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive update on the Family Home Visiting (FHV) Program.
SUMMARY
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of, a community health board under Minn. Stat. ch. 145A, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents.
The goals of the Family Home Visiting (FHV) Program include: improve pregnancy outcomes, promote breastfeeding, promote healthy nutrition and physical activity, connect families to preventive and acute health care services, enhance child growth and development, prevent unintentional injury, child abuse and intimate partner violence, promote a healthy bond and positive parenting among all family members, promote parenting and infant mental health and enhance parental strengths, resilience, and self-efficacy to promote self-actualization.
FHV has 33.6 full-time equivalents (FTEs) and is funded by state and federal grants, third-party reimbursements, and levy funds. In 2024, FHV received $2,047,922 in state and federal grants, which included Maternal Child Health Grant (MCH), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Strong Foundations, and Promising Practices grants. FHV received revenue in the amount of $1,067,914 for third-party reimbursements and used $523,000 in levy funds. In 2024, the program served 1,721 clients with 9,586 home visits and 16,099 case management hours. The cost per client is approximately $2,000, which includes an average of 6 home visits and 9 case management hours per client.
The FHV program consists of Public Health Nurses, Community Health Workers and a Family Support Specialist who specializes in mental health. The program serves culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Dakota County through home visits and community work (i.e. Feeding Your Baby Support Group at libraries). FHV collaborates with many local public and private programs with the goal to implement efficient programs and connect families to community resources and supports to meet their needs.
FHV is innovative and collaborative, taking a continuous quality improvement approach. Dakota County FHV staff are experts in their field; they provide training throughout the state of Minnesota for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), which reimburses Dakota County.
The Promising Practices Home Visiting Grant funding by MDH has helped our program co-create best practices in FHV for East African residents in Dakota County.
OUTCOMES
How much?
• In 2024, FHV served 1,721 clients with 9,586 home visits.
• In 2023 and 2024, revenue from third-party reimbursement has exceeded budget projections.
How well?
• The 2024 FHV Client Satisfaction Survey reported that 100 percent of clients would recommend a Public Health Nurse (PHN) to someone they know, and 99 percent agreed that the PHN is good about teaching to care for a child, providing support and making referrals to community resources.
Is anyone better off?
• Dakota County FHV has intervened and improved the lives of pregnant and parenting people and young children living in Dakota County by improving maternal and newborn health, connecting FHV participants to health insurance, improving school readiness for children, screening and referring for intimate partner violence and providing education on safe sleep and injury prevention.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Gina Pistulka
Author: Amy Mimm