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7/24/2017
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Rep. Casimiro bill to estimate children born with risk factors to development signed into law
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 STATE HOUSE – Rep. Julie A. Casimiro’s (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter) legislation (2017-H 6310) that directs the Department of Health to obtain an annual estimate of the number of children born to Rhode Island families who face significant risk factors known to impair child development has been signed into law by the governor.
“No child should be left behind in the developmental process due to circumstances beyond their control. Thankfully, there are programs designed to help these children and their families, but in order to properly budget for these programs, the state needs an estimate of the amount of children and families who are in need of these services,” said Representative Casimiro.
The legislation also calls for a plan, including the fiscal costs and benefits, to gradually expand access to the existing evidence-based family home-visiting programs in Rhode Island to all vulnerable families.
State appropriations would be combined with federal dollars to fund this expansion with the goal of offering the program to all the state’s pregnant and parenting teens, families with a history of involvement with the child welfare system, and other vulnerable families.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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