South Carolina Advocates Push Early for Home Visiting Program Renewal
South Carolina advocates and home visitors are campaigning ahead of the 2027 congressional reauthorization deadline for the federal Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program, which currently serves about 2,800 new mothers and babies in the state. The program sends trained visitors to pregnant women and new parents through a child's third birthday, helping with prenatal care access, transportation, nutrition, postpartum depression, breastfeeding, safe sleep practices, and developmental screening. South Carolina ranks 43rd for infant mortality and 40th for maternal mortality nationally, with outcomes worse among Black mothers and Medicaid enrollees. Advocates, including the state's home visiting director, say the program has had bipartisan support since 2010 and want funding to continue uninterrupted when it comes up for renewal next fall.