FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky officials say a new $7.5 million grant will support a statewide program aimed at decreasing the number of premature deliveries and low birth weight babies.
The state Cabinet for Health and Family Services say the federal grant will support the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, often called Kentucky's HANDS program.
Officials say the program is offered in all 120 Kentucky counties through local health departments. It serves high-risk populations by providing assistance to overburdened parents during the prenatal period until a child's third birthday.
They say the outcomes of the home visitation program include decreased maternal complications in pregnancy, fewer premature deliveries, fewer low birth weight babies and a decrease in child abuse and neglect.
In the 2017 fiscal year, the program served about 4,040 participants.
