Home visiting programs in the United States seek to improve maternal and child health, child development, and family economic self-sufficiency by supporting families with young children. Home visiting is seen as an important strategy for reaching high-risk families who may be difficult to engage in other services. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 included $1.5 billion over five years for states to operate the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program.