In mid-May, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) conducted a comprehensive site visit of the Kansas MIECHV Program as routine monitoring of our federal grants. The visit was conducted by the HRSA Region VII MIECHV Project Officer, and contracted programmatic and fiscal reviewers.  The site visit was a full three days covering questions in an extensive site assessment tool and providing in-depth information and documentation regarding programmatic, administrative, and financial management and implementation.  In addition to staff from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), numerous MIECHV program partners and contractors also met with the site review team.  At the conclusion of the site visit, feedback and recommendations presented by the reviewers were very positive.  A comprehensive written report will be provided to the state in mid-summer. Kansas was only the second state in the country to undergo this new HRSA site visit protocol.  All MIECHV grantees (state and territories) will undergo this comprehensive review every three years.  The purpose is to ensure accountability, high performance, and quality improvement of all federal MIECHV grant programs.

 My name is Samantha Carter.  I have been involved with Parents as Teachers for almost 3 years.  I have found this program both informative and rewarding.  I first started with Kari Palmer when my daughter was three.  I have to say I wasn't quite sure what I was committing to.  However, after my first visit, I realized how much my child as well as I could benefit from the program.  I had more information on where my child should be and how to help with her progress.  Not long after, Mrs. Kari helped me start on getting her into school (the early learning center).  It prepared her for kindergarten and got her used to a school type setting.  After I had my second child, a little boy, everything went on the same.  Every visit we would go over his hand eye coordination, starter words, comprehension, etc. Eventually I expressed my concern that my son didn't seem to be where he should be on speech.  He seemed to have problems with the simplest of words.  Thankfully, Kari brought a hearing test machine and we were able to find out he had a problem hearing.  So she got us in touch with the right doctor's office and we were able to find and fix the problem.  He needed tubes in his ears.  Since then he has been able to speak better and even learn some of his letters.  This program for me has been extremely helpful, and beyond my expectations.  These are only a few ways the program works.  The amount of help they can bring to a home is very extensive and unlimited.  Thank you to Parents as Teachers and especially Mrs. Kari for all the work and dedication to not only my family but all the families you serve.

 Submitted by Sherry Messner, Parents as Teachers program coordinator, USD 445 Coffeyville Public Schools, Montgomery County.