MECSH is a licensed program of Western Sydney University under agreement with the University of New South Wales, Australia. Licensees are granted a three-year, nonexclusive, nontransferable license to implement the MECSH model subject to (1) payment of a support service fee for implementation support and (2) regular provision of data every three months demonstrating fidelity of model provision. After the first three years, the license may be renewed and no further fees are required but licensees remain subject to ongoing provision of data every three months demonstrating fidelity of model provision.
Implementing Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-Visiting Program (MECSH)
Implementation last updated: 2020
The information in this profile reflects feedback, if provided, from this model’s developer as of the above date. The description of the implementation of the model(s) here may differ from how the model(s) was implemented in the research reviewed to determine this model’s evidence of effectiveness. Inclusion in the implementation report does not mean the practices described meet the HHS criteria for evidence of effectiveness. Similarly, models described here may not all have impact studies, and those with impact studies may vary in their effectiveness. Please see the Effectiveness button on the left for more information about research on the effectiveness of the models discussed here.
Training to support implementation
Pre-service staff training
Before the in-person training, nurse home visitors, supervisors, and other program staff must complete two of six online courses on the MECSH model. Nurse home visitors and supervisors then receive in-person training in the MECSH Foundation Course, which covers the core MECSH curriculum, the Learning to Communicate curriculum, and focus modules customized to local community needs. Nurse home visitors and supervisors also must receive training in the Family Partnership Model approach (or equivalent training and/or experience), which aims to help primary care health workers collaborate with families to address the psychological and social problems that commonly arise in all families. The total length of the in-person training varies from two to five days depending on the prior experience and training of the nurse home visitors.
Supervisors participate in a one-day, in-person training focused on the model’s clinical practice supervision techniques.
In-service staff training
Within six months of starting to deliver the model, nurse home visitors and supervisors are required to have completed all six courses of the MECSH online training and the in-person training.
To meet staff training needs at the local level, MECSH consultants offer annual in-person refresher trainings and master classes focused on model delivery processes and curricula.
After 12 months of implementing the model, MECSH consultants identify staff to serve as local trainers. The local agency trainers participate in a seven-day in-person training and 12 months of mentoring.
Training materials
An online and in-person training program is available through the model developer.
Qualified trainers
MECSH includes an on-site visit, training, and online access to the model developer and consultants.
Technical assistance
MECSH support service includes technical assistance and support for fidelity monitoring.
Implementation notes
The information contained on this page was last updated in July 2020. Recommended further reading lists the sources for this information. In addition, the information contained in this profile was reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Lynn Kemp at the Western Sydney University on February 21, 2020. HomVEE reserves the right to edit the profile for clarity and consistency.