(a) Establishment.--The Ounce of Prevention Program is established within the department as a grant program for not-for-profit organizations or public entities to provide home visitation services and referral services to low-income, at-risk expectant first-time mothers and their newborn children and families.

(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the program is to strengthen families, promote early childhood growth and development, improve childhood immunization rates and well-child care, improve child health outcomes, improve school readiness, increase family self-sufficiency, increase the involvement of both parents with their children, and reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect through the provision of home visits and the referral of families and newborn children to health care and other service providers.

(c) Matching funds.--Grants shall be awarded to applicants that provide matching funds in the amount of 25% of the total program cost. Matching funds may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions.

(d) Term.--Grants shall be awarded for a period of two years.

(e) Eligibility.--A for-profit entity that received funds from the Commonwealth to provide services to first-time, at-risk parents prior to the effective date of this act shall be eligible to receive a grant under this act.