The Rhode Island Department of Health has announced that the state has been awarded $8.5 million to improve the health of babies and mothers. The funds are part of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, which was created to help families get the support they need from nurses, social workers, and other providers to improve the health of babies and children.
“Rhode Island’s home visiting program helps expectant mothers, new parents, and their babies get off to a healthier start by connecting them to nurses, social workers, other service providers, and information on key programs that have been proven to promote healthy development,” said Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. “I’m committed to ensuring Rhode Island families are supported right from the start,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “Rhode Island’s home visiting programs have been a success, and I am so pleased that this federal investment will help more kids grow up healthy and ready to learn.”
The program is available to families who are pregnant, or have young children, and offers free home visits.
“We know that these programs provide critical supports for families and children and help to assure that children enter school ready to learn and grow,” said Director of Health Jerome Larkin, MD. “In addition, we know that for every dollar we invest, there is a savings in future medical costs.”
The state says that the program has been successful in improving school readiness and achievement for children, and has also prevented child injuries, abuse, and neglect.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
I brought my children up with no help from outside sources. They had visits to doctor if shots needed or if they got very sick but how did we ever do it on our own?? Common sense was all you needed and they grew up just fine and are married and even have grandkids . We are enabling our children too much and not letting them grow up in a normal way. Having all of this outside intervention must make them feel something is wrong. Just give them a good home does not have to be fancy but when they have love and kindness shown to them and parents that are not the problem all is fine. That money can be used in a better way .