Federal Grant To Help Oklahoma Moms And Their Babies

Women in Oklahoma will soon be able to have access to home visits during pregnancy and their child's first years of life thanks to a $10 million federal grant to the state Department of Health.

The grant is part of The Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program.

$10,645,155 has been devoted to providing home visits by a nurse, social worker or early childhood educator. Officials say these visits will provide families with the help they couldn't get otherwise.

People living in about one-third of the counties in the nation, including Oklahoma can apply for the program. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, a number of counties across the U.S. have high rates of low birth weight, teen birth rate and infant mortality rates.

Every family who applies will be evaluated and program workers will try to connect them to the help they need. Officials say they will provide visits from different professionals who can help with things like health care, developmental services and nutrition education or assistance. And these visits are meant to improve a child's health, prevent them from injuries, and improve their education level.

Anyone who wants to apply for the program will have to go through a three step process.

They'll need to submit an application for funding, go through a statewide assessment and fill out an updated state plan for home visiting.

For more information contact the Oklahoma State Health Department at 405-271-7611.