PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- About 200 people gathered in a ballroom at The Marriott Providence Monday to hear experts in the field of child and maternal health talk about the importance of Rhode Island's programs that aim to improve the outcomes of at-risk children by supporting their mothers.
The programs tackle the daunting problems of child poverty, neglect and abuse by sending nurses and social workers into the homes of young mothers and their children.
Rhode Island's home-visiting programs were funded in 2010 with $5 million in federal grants to the Rhode Island Department of Health through the federal Affordable Care Act.
During the event, organized by Rhode Island Kids Count, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, who supported the Affordable Care Act, was recognized for his work with the Rhode Island Kids Count Leadership Award.