res24091

R 091

2024 -- H 7601
Enacted 02/14/2024

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 15, 2024 TO BE "RHODE ISLAND FIRST CONNECTIONS AWARENESS DAY"

Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Diaz, Potter, Voas, Alzate, Cruz, and Cotter

Date Introduced: February 14, 2024

WHEREAS, Voluntary, high-quality home-visiting programs help families learn about

and connect to essential resources, adjust to parenthood, build parenting skills, and address

challenges commonly faced by families; and

WHEREAS, For at least four decades, Rhode Island's First Connections program,

overseen by the Department of Health, has been providing free, voluntary, statewide home-

visiting to pregnant women and to families with newborns, infants, and toddlers, reaching about

thirty-five percent of families with new babies; and

WHEREAS, Families typically receive one to four home visits which are culturally-

competent, comprehensive and delivered by registered nurses and social workers in the client's

home; and

WHEREAS, First Connection services include, but are not limited to, linkages to

Department of Human Services, WIC, obstetricians, pediatricians, housing and domestic

violence; and

WHEREAS, First Connections serves as a safety net in Rhode Island, helping to ensure

that new born babies are safe when they are discharged from the birthing Hospital, and that they

receive services to help prevent child fatalities and near fatalities; and

WHEREAS, First Connections staff are supporting families with developmental

screenings for all children in the home and making referrals to local school systems as needed;

and

WHEREAS, First Connections is the first point of contact for the State's other priorities

including ensuring newborn Safe Sleep, supporting parents with substance affected newborns,

preventing DCYF involvement, providing basic needs supports and substance and mental health

treatment referrals; and

WHEREAS, Eligibility for First Connections is determined by a screening tool

implemented through the hospital and the Department of Health. Examples of eligibility: age, (a

teenage mother, or a mother over 36 and a first baby), low income, multiple pregnancies under

the age of 21, homelessness, history of domestic violence, history of mental illness, substance

abuse and involvement with Department of Children, Youth and Families; and

WHEREAS, Community providers are able to make referrals for pregnant mothers who

are at high risk and the Department of Children, Youth and Families additionally make referrals

to the program to meet the federal CAPTA requirements; and

WHEREAS, First Connections is funded with federal Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act Part C resources, Medicaid billing, and other federal grants; and

WHEREAS, Prior to a temporary, one-year increase in State fiscal year 2023-2024, the

Medicaid rates for First Connections services have not increased since 2000; and

WHEREAS, Inadequate funding had resulted in significant program staffing challenges

and an average operating loss for First Connections programs of one hundred thirty-six dollars

and seventy cents per visit; and

WHEREAS, Following the establishment of the federal Maternal, Infant, and Early

Childhood Home Visiting program in 2010, Rhode Island expanded home-visiting services to

include several longer-term, comprehensive, and evidence-based program models with strong

evidence they improve short-term and long-term outcomes for children and families; and

WHEREAS, In 2022, the federal funding was reauthorized and now includes a twenty-

five percent state match requirement to receive base federal funding to sustain existing programs

and new expansion funds. The state match requirement will go into effect in federal fiscal year

2024; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

recognizes the short-term and long-term benefits of voluntary, high quality, culturally responsive

home-visiting services to pregnant and parenting families with newborns, infants, and toddlers;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby proclaims February 15, 2024, to be "Rhode Island

First Connections Awareness Day"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to First Connections, and the Director/Interim

Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health.

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