Project 3.f.i – Increase Support Programs for Maternal and Child Health (including high risk pregnancies)

Why FLPPS Chose this Project

Infant mortality rates in the FLPPS region are generally higher than the NYS average, particularly in Allegany, Monroe, Orleans, and Yates Counties. The FLPPS Community Needs Assessment showed service-related gaps that impact maternal and child health, including a lack of coordinated services for high-risk mothers, such as psychosocial supports, transportation, health literacy and education about healthy behaviors.

In addition, high risk pregnancies do not end with the birth of the child, but can continue with high risk parenting situations.  Women with high risk pregnancies due to age, social situation or concurrent medical or behavioral health conditions may need significant support beyond obstetrical care to nurture a healthy child. Nuclear families and single mothers may not have access to functional parenting skill advice to assist them in the crucial first two years of a child’s life.

A lack of attention to the causal factors of toxic stress (including poverty) also affect high-risk pregnancies.

In the city of Rochester, 76% of children age 6 live at, or near, the poverty level.

What Success Looks Like

A reduction of avoidable poor pregnancy outcomes and subsequent hospitalization as well as improved maternal and child health through the first two years of the child’s life.

The provision of support to women with high risk pregnancies during their prenatal period and beyond their post-natal period. Coordination of outreach, intake and referral processes across community health and social service programs can improve communication, collaboration and coordination of care.

This type of support will be provided through the implementation and expansion of community health worker programs based on the Maternal Infant Child Health Collaborative (MICHC) model and Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) home visiting program.