A bipartisan effort has expanded the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program that supports pregnant women, new mothers and families in underserved and rural communities.

The Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is pumping an additional $400 million into the program, thanks to bipartisan legislation. The program brings nurses, healthcare workers and social workers to help with breastfeeding and postpartum care in the homes of new moms.

Fatima Ray, the maternal health coordinator at Primo Center for Women and Children in Chicago said the program is life-changing.

“I was definitely suffering with postpartum depression. My baby was very colic,” Ray explained. “She was crying all the time.”

A trip to the library changed everything.

“There was this paper that was like, ‘Do you need parenting help?’ So I ripped it off.” Ray said.

She became a participant in the program and was paired with Ms. Christie.

“She helped me figure out what it even meant to have a colicky baby and how to soothe. Once we were done figuring that part out, we started with sleep training” Ray said.

Carole Johnson, the administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, said the program has improved school readiness and achievement of children, improved health for women, increased health insurance coverage and prevented child injuries, abuse and neglect.

“The research is there that shows the difference it makes in making sure kids are ready for school, that they develop language skills earlier that were helping to prevent all kinds of negative outcomes for families,” Johnson said.

With a push from Ms. Christie, Ray returned to school and now works for the program that once helped her.

“She really just empowered me and made me feel as though whatever choice I made was the best choice,” Ray described her sessions with her home visitor. “We make such a big difference on a day to day, even the smallest of things. So I’m just really appreciative that HRSA is investing in this.”

The added funding will expand services to another 30,000 people, prioritizing families with incomes near the poverty line. Currently, 167,000 participate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories.