The Maternal & Child Health Services (MCHS) Department is pleased to announce the expansion of their Prenatal Services to now include Home Visiting Programs for those prenatal and post-partum women that qualify. These new services are offered through the MOMS Prenatal Support Services Program, which has been operated by Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. (COI) since the mid-80’s, and is subcontracted to COI through the Chautauqua County Health Department.

In addition to offering Health Insurance, Health Assessments, Prenatal Education & Case management Services to all expectant and post-partum mothers through the MOMS Program, this new additional package of services includes individualized home-based assessment, education and case management services that are provided to the expectant and/or post-partum mother at their convenience throughout their pregnancy and up to 12 weeks post-partum, usually on a monthly basis.

Developed to address the problems of limited and late entry into prenatal care and lack of case management support services, especially for those prenatal women who are deemed to be at risk during their pregnancy, the Home Visiting Programs focus on the early identification of problems during the prenatal period and the development of a Care Plan with the expectant mother to address any factors that may impact upon the birth outcome.

The primary goal of this program is to enhance and build upon the prenatal risk assessment, education and case management services so that the expectant mother’s involvement in their health care, both during and after their pregnancy, is strengthen in order to facilitate a healthy birth outcome for mother and baby.

Health care coverage and education, nutrition education, breastfeeding, child development and parenting skills, which are provided by an RN, are some of the main areas focused on with the Home Visiting Programs. Family involvement & one-on-one hands instruction are encouraged as well. Child birth classes, which focus on Labor & Delivery, and Breastfeeding and Nutrition Education Classes, are also offered.

The Home Visiting Component of services was made possible through the March of Dimes Grant that was awarded to COI in January, 2003, and through the Maternity & Early Childhood Foundation Grant, which was awarded to COI in August, 2002.

In addition to the MOMS Prenatal Support Services Program, the MCHS Department also offers the WIC (Women, Infants & Children Supplemental Nutrition Program) Program, the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and Rental Station Programs and the Child and Family Health Plus Facilitated Enrollment Insurance Programs. All these services have been integrated within the Department to form a comprehensive package of services for clients with accessibility to them on a County-wide basis.

The MCHS Department works in collaboration with the Medical Community, Health Insurance Companies, the Department of Social Services, Hospitals and the Health Department in their provision of services to the clients that they serve.