H.R. 2343 would expand quality programs of early childhood home visitation that increase school readiness, child abuse and neglect prevention, and early identification of developmental and health delays, including potential mental health concerns.

== Detailed Summary ==

<summary>
Education Begins at Home Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) allotto make grants to states, Indians, territories, and possessions for programs ofto establish or expand quality early childhood home visitation; and (2) make competitive grants to local educational agencies and other eligible applicants for early home visitation programs for families with English language learners. Directs the Secretary of Defense to make competitive grants to eligible applicants for early home visitation for military families. that are expecting a child or have pre-kindergarten children.

AmendsAllots funds among state grantees on the Head Start Act to direct the Secretarybasis of HHS to establish standards for home visitor staff in Early Head Start programs with respect to their training, qualifications, and conductshare of home visits.children from birth through age five who are from impoverished families.

Revises Early Head Start programsDirects the Secretary to provide for:approve grant applications on the basis of recommendations from a peer review panel that assesses the quality of applications by considering factors such as how the applicant: (1) training in parenting skills andpromotes collaboration among a broad range of child development; (2) certain home-based and family support services; (3) procedures for transition into Head Start or other local early childhood educationservices programs; (4) staff communication and program coordination; and (5) professional development and personnel enhancement. (2) plans to prioritize serving communities in high need of home visitation programs.

DirectsRequires each state grantee to: (1) provide voluntary early childhood home visitation at least once a month to as many of such families as is practicable; (2) reserve 10% of its grant for the provision of training and technical assistance to such programs; (3) include representatives from high quality early childhood home visitation programs in an existing state-level early childhood coordinating body that meets regularly to address policy and implementation issues; and (4) use no more than 5% of its grant on administration.

Requires states to raise nonfederal matching funds equal to 10% of their allotment for FY2011, 20% of their allotment for FY2012, and 30% of their allotment for FY2013.

Authorizes appropriations for such grant program for FY2009-FY2013.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) and experienced public or private community-based entities to support and expand quality, local early childhood home visitation programs for families that have English language learners and are expecting a child or have pre-kindergarten children.

Directs the Secretary to approve grant applications on the basis of HHStheir quality and peer review panel recommendations.

Requires grantees to: (1) provide voluntary early childhood home visitation at least once a month to as many of such families as is practicable; (2) eliminate gaps in children's health and developmental services from birth to entry into kindergarten; (3) refer such families to additional community resources; (4) offer such families group meetings (at program discretion) at least once a month that allow parents to address their challenges in a supportive environment; (5) provide training and technical assistance to early childhood home visitation staff; and (6) coordinate existing early childhood home visitation programs.

Authorizes appropriations for such grant program for FY2009-FY2013.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of Defense to make competitive grants to LEAs, schools, and community-based organizations that serve military dependents to support and expand high quality early childhood home visitation programs for military families that are expecting a child or have pre-kindergarten children.

Directs the Secretary to approve grant applications on the basis of their quality and peer review panel recommendations.

Requires grantees to: (1) provide voluntary early childhood home visitation at least once a month to as many of such families as is practicable; (2) eliminate gaps in children's health and developmental services from birth to entry into kindergarten; (3) refer such families to additional community resources; (4) offer such families group meetings (at program discretion) at least once a month that allow parents to address their challenges in a supportive environment; (5) provide training and technical assistance to early childhood home visitation staff; and (6) coordinate existing early childhood home visitation programs.

Authorizes appropriations for such grant program for FY2009-FY2013.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to conduct an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of this Act's home visitation programs and submit interim and final reports to Congress on such evaluation.

(Sec. 8) Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on activities carried out pursuant to this Act.

(Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a public information and educational campaign to inform the public and new parents about the importance of proper care for infants and children under five years of age.

Authorizes appropriations for such campaign for FY2009-FY2013.
</summary>

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== Status of the Legislation ==

<status>
Latest Major Action: 6/11/2008: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee Hearings Held.9/19/2008: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 559.
</status>

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== Points in Favor ==

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== Points Against ==

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