Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County

Healthy start porgram - the Maternal and Child Health Consortium's (mchc) healthy start home visiting program is a vital initiative aimed at reducing the prevalence of low-birth-weight births and enhancing birth and Maternal Health outcomes for pregnant and parenting individuals with children aged 0-18 months. Through this program, mchc's bilingual, bicultural community Health workers (chw) deliver comprehensive perinatal services directly to participants' homes. These services encompass socio-emotional support, Health education, and hands-on parental involvement utilizing the evidence-based parents as teachers (pat) model. Home visits, occurring twice monthly for 1-2 hours, continue until the target Child reaches 18 months old. [cont on schedule o]the program conducts thorough Health risk assessments and adverse childhood experiences screenings (aces), ensuring appropriate interventions for participants with elevated scores. Additionally, screenings for perinatal depression are conducted using the edinburgh perinatal depression scale (epds) prenatally and postpartum, ensuring timely support for those at risk.

Family center program - the family center program is a home-visiting program that supports low-income families with children aged 0-5 years-old in southern Chester County, preparing them for successful kindergarten entry. Mchc's bilingual, bicultural parent educators conduct bi-weekly home visits, delivering school readiness preparation and facilitating Health insurance enrollment, peer connections, and engaging parent-child educational activities. Using the parents as teachers (pat) model, parent educators provide early childhood developmental education and foster hands-on parental involvement. They collaborate closely with families to address barriers hindering optimal school readiness, focusing on self-care and age-appropriate academic skills. [cont on schedule o]the program culminates in an intensive kindergarten transition program (ktp) for five-year-old children, which immerses them in a simulated school environment. Concurrently, parents participate in parenting classes to bolster their ability to support their Child's learning and navigate school systems effectively. The ktp includes a comprehensive assessment of each Child's preschool skill mastery to ensure readiness for kindergarten. Through the family center program, mchc empowers families to lay a strong foundation for their children's educational success.

Family benefits program - the family benefits program extends crucial support to eligible individuals and families with children, facilitating access to essential provisions such as food and healthcare coverage. Through the program, participants receive expert guidance on navigating various state-subsidized Health insurance schemes like medicaid and chip, as well as food assistance programs such as snap and other public benefits initiatives like wic and tanf. Services include assistance with eligibility assessments, renewal applications, troubleshooting, and comprehensive policy coverage comprehension. The program's dedicated follow-up ensures seamless approval and continuity of coverage, while its outreach efforts extend to providing training to other social service agencies. [cont on schedule o]the program offers one-to-one enrollment assistance available at multiple locations across Chester County and parts of montgomery County, including pottstown and norristown, and with bilingual staff proficient in spanish and english.

Plans of safe care program - the plans of safe care (posc) program offers tailored support for pregnant women, families, caregivers, and infants impacted by substance use disorders. A posc is a comprehensive document outlining referrals and services aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of substance-exposed infants. These plans address fundamental needs such as secure housing, medical care, and mental Health treatment, along with delivery and discharge arrangements, infant care essentials, and postnatal support services including substance use treatment and home visiting programs. A dedicated posc coordinator collaborates with individuals to develop holistic strategies, establish support networks, and provide access to relevant resources and free programs for pregnant women and new parents. Throughout the process, the program offers continuous encouragement and support to facilitate positive outcomes for families overcoming substance use disorders.perinatal periods of risk project - the perinatal periods of risk (ppor) project is an analytical framework devised to scrutinize fetal and infant mortality within a specific community, with a particular emphasis on racial disparities in mortality rates. Originally initiated by the world Health organization in 2004, ppor has undergone adaptations by various organizations including citymatch, the centers for disease control and prevention, and the Health resources and services administration. Mchc has introduced the ppor project to Chester County, comprising three phases. Phase 1 identified the "Maternal health/prematurity" period as the highest risk period for infant mortality. Phase 2 pinpointed contributing factors such as limited prenatal and behavioral Health resources, lack of awareness of County resources, and dynamics within patient-provider relationships. Phase 3 involves the development of a community action plan spanning 2023-2025, aiming to foster trust among black and african american families, advocate for mental well-being during the perinatal period, empower birthing people to advocate for themselves, promote diversity in the healthcare workforce, and improve coordination of Health and social services.language access project - language access project is a language interpretation service for families with limited english language proficiency who are involved in the Child welfare system and referred by the Chester County department of children, youth and families. The program employs tci certified (the community interpreter national training) interpreters fluent in spanish and portuguese to liaise between families and cyf caseworkers. Family navigator program - the family navigator program enhances access to a broader spectrum of community resources for Chester County residents. These encompass employment training and opportunities, assistance with housing, rent, and utilities, provision of transportation information and guidance, access to domestic violence support services, as well as diversion programs tailored for families involved in the Child welfare system or deemed at-risk. Life skills program - the life skills program is tailored to meet the unique needs of families with children who are involved with cyf. Program coordinators conduct personalized home visits, addressing a wide array of parenting essentials based on each family's specific requirements. From establishing consistent daily routines and promoting proper hygiene practices to fostering healthy relationships and offering guidance on effective discipline strategies, our team covers it all. Program coordinators serve as a vital lifeline for parents seeking assistance with crucial aspects such as securing stable housing, finding employment opportunities, or gaining valuable budgeting skills. By equipping caregivers with the necessary knowledge and resources, we empower them to navigate challenges effectively and prioritize their children's well-being, fostering stronger, more resilient families in the process.diversion program - the diversion program is a proactive initiative designed to provide support and resources for families at risk of involvement with the Child welfare system. Our program offers tailored interventions and assistance aimed at addressing underlying issues and strengthening family stability. By providing personalized support, guidance, and access to community resources, we empower families to navigate challenges effectively and prevent the need for formal involvement with Child welfare agencies.family group decision making program - the family group decision making program helps families find their voice and reclaim their power in shaping their future. In three meetings over two months, our bilingual program coordinators facilitate a transformative process that empowers families to address challenges head-on. Beginning with a pre-conference session, we bring together all involved parties-whether it's a school guidance counselor, family member, neighbor, or cyf caseworker-to lay the groundwork for constructive dialogue. Then, in a collaborative in-person meeting, the priority family and their chosen support system brainstorm solutions and craft a personalized action plan.empowering families program - in partnership with the Chester County department of children, youth and families, mchc implemented the empowering families program as a Child welfare initiative under the family center in 2021 in response to the prevalence of high risk families becoming involved in the Child welfare system and to promote Child abuse and neglect prevention at the community level. Parent educators are certified to use the evidence-based pat model to build family resiliency with up to 40 families per year from pregnancy up to age 5. Parent educators meet with participant families twice monthly in their home for 2-3 years with the goal to keep families united and foster a stable environment.fatherhood program - the fatherhood program has worked with both parents of enrolled families since 2006. In 2017, mchc expanded the program in order to fully engage father figures in their Child's growth and address their unique challenges. As a part of home-visiting support, experienced mentors guide fathers in developing essential parenting skills, fostering healthy parent-child relationships, and navigating personal challenges.diabetes and heart disease prevention program - healthy start and family center staff provide one-to-one diabetes and heart disease prevention education during home visits and group sessions throughout the year that are free and open to the community. These sessions cover a comprehensive range of topics, including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, as well as heart disease development and management. Participants gain insights into monitoring and comprehending vital Health indicators like blood pressure and blood sugar levels, learn effective strategies for integrating exercise into daily life, and receive education on nutrition essentials such as portion control, interpreting nutrition labels, and budget-friendly shopping, supplemented by cooking demonstrations using common ingredients. This holistic approach underscores the program's dedication to promoting community Health and well-being.