First Lady Diana Rauner says she hopes to expand the newborn home- visiting pilot program called Illinois Family Connects (IFC). It started in Peoria and Stephenson Counties last year.
Rauner met with program stakeholders and those interested in knowing more Thursday in Peoria. The first lady has spent her career in early childhood care.
She says she would like to see it expand to at least two more counties and eventually go statewide. “The best way for us to ensure the healthy development of all children is to ensure that families receive just the right kind of support when their child is first born.”
The program started last year for Stephenson County moms who give birth at FHN Memorial Hospital Freeport and at OSF Medical Center in Peoria for moms in that county.
Peoria County officials say 84 percent of the new moms offered the RN home-visit have accepted it, and that’s linked many to a variety of information, ideas, goods, and services unique to their specific needs.