The best way to improve the health of the baby and promote a healthy birth weight is to improve the health of the mother. In the long run, reducing low birth weight in infants reduces health and behavioral problems in adults, with an estimated $25,000 to $40,000 cost savings to the community per child.

The Muskegon Area Pregnancy Pathways Program follows the successful, evidence based “Pathways” model pioneered in Richland County, Ohio over the last decade. The model promotes timely, efficient care coordination and prevents service duplication through a network of agencies.

Mothers are usually referred to the Muskegon Area Pregnancy Pathways Program through community organizations such as the Teen Health Center. A community health worker (CHW) will assess a woman’s medical care and personal care needs. Next, any barriers to meeting those needs are identified. Lastly, the pregnant mom and her CHW develop a plan to overcome those barriers and create a healthy pregnancy.

The Pathways model follows an orderly, eight part assessment and remedial process:

• Confirm the pregnancy.
• Help the mother sign up for health insurance or for Medicaid.
• Establish a pre-natal care provider.
• Establish a primary care provider.
• Make sure the mother has reliable, safe housing.
• Identify medical needs, such as dental, vision or mental health and make the appropriate referrals.
• Coordinate medication assistance, if needed.
• Identify and coordinate social service needs: transportation, smoking cessation, parenting education, domestic violence counseling, etc.

• Every Woman’s Place/Webster House
• The Teen Health Center
• Catholic Charities West Michigan
• Hackley Community Care
• Muskegon Family Care
• Orchard View Public Schools
• Oakridge Public Schools
• Grand Valley State University