WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, received the Champion of Children Award on Monday from First Focus, a bipartisan advocacy group for children’s issues.

The award recognizes her continued support for the Children’s Health Insurance Program of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

The program provides federal matching funds to states that offer health insurance to families with children.

The program was created in 1997 by one of the first bills that Collins sponsored when she became a senator.