State officials announced plans to use COVID-19 relief funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to support home visiting programs that provide services for families with newborns in Bridgeport.

Those services include mental health wellness and job placement for mothers.

The Department of Children and Families says universal home visiting programs will also help address child poverty.

Damaris Retamar, a mother from Bridgeport, spoke at Housatonic Community College about just how important this program is.

"I felt like it was just me against the world,” she said. “I had my daughter’s dad there. He was involved. But I felt like I didn't have anyone. And I felt like I was going to fail my child…I feel like this program will definitely help a lot of families."