A non-profit that supports new mothers in Durham County is getting a boost from President Obama's healthcare measure. Healthy Families Durham will use a $320,000 grant to support new families in east Durham. Program Director Jan Williams says they'll be providing home visits for two reasons.
Jan Williams: "One is really to improve school readiness in children because we use a curriculum called "Parents as Teachers" that teaches the parent to be their child's first teacher. And then the second area of focus is really preventing child abuse and neglect, by providing information on safety and child developmental expectation."
Williams says the visits help new mothers who could be overwhelmed because they have no one to turn to for support. The voluntary program provides home visits free of charge for up to three years. Six other programs across the state will get similar assistance.