Vanderbilt Center for Community Health Solutions
About the MIHOW Strategy
MIHOW trains and employs local women as outreach workers at sites in West
Through both home visits and parenting groups, MIHOW outreach workers promote healthy family systems including prenatal health, health of the mom and toddler, and healthy bonds between parent and child. By developing consistent relationships, MIHOW outreach workers can observe and respond to the unique strengths and challenges of each family. MIHOW serves each family until the child reaches age three.
MIHOW outreach workers achieve results by building relationships and helping mothers address age-appropriate objectives. Outreach workers build trust with each family through conversations, listening and modeling healthy parenting behavior. The MIHOW training guide is developed specifically for lay health workers. The curriculum teaches them how to promote age appropriate healthy habits in the areas of attachment, discipline, cognitive development, and physical and emotional health.
Each MIHOW site is committed to maintain the highest quality and consistency of service by participating in our accreditation process. Through CEMAP (Commitment to Excellence MIHOW Accreditation Program), sites have a blueprint and guide for providing excellent service to families while supporting professional staff development for MIHOW outreach workers.
MIHOW uses a strength-based approach to family support, recognizing that regardless of working or living conditions, every family, organization, and community has strengths. Being able to recognize and build on their strengths empowers women to increase self-sufficiency and advocate for themselves and their families. Helping the MIHOW staff and participants build on these strengths is the fuel that drives each MIHOW program.
Learn more about MIHOW
