Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Cheryl Campbell Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Why have the HMHB project? Those parents who are most in need tend to be the ones who are least likely to access support (Fram, 2003; Ghate & Hazel, 2002). There is a growing consensus that rather than thinking about certain families as being hard to reach, it is more useful to think of them as being people whom services find it difficult to engage and retain (Slee, 2006) Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies • The program is to provide support for women with complex health, welfare and social needs, in partnership and collaboration with other service providers. • THE FOCUS of the program is: • to support women who are pregnant by improving access to antenatal, postnatal and other health and human services. • THE AIMS of the program are to: • improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies • provide community based outreach supports. • The program and outreach model are considered flexible and innovative (HMHB Final Report). Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies • THE KEY OBJECTIVES of the program are to provide assistance to women: • to improve women’s access to antenatal and postnatal care. • to support healthy behaviors in pregnancy and beyond, e.g. smoking cessation. • Why is Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies based in Community Health Centres? • Community Health Centres are a good access and referral point for local services and groups that may be appropriate for the woman and/or her family, e.g. community gardens, community kitchens, young mums supported playgroups, counselling programs and dental services etc. Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Who are the women that have been identified with complex health, welfare and social needs? • Women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women • Refugee and newly arrived women • Young mums • Woman with current or history of substance use • Women with intellectual and physical disabilities • Women with mental health issues • Women living with family violence Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Housing security influences a woman’s social, economic, employment and community participation as well as impacting upon her health and wellbeing. The Young Women’s Outreach Program in Victoria reported that 64% of their client were pregnant or parenting in 2008- 2009 (HMHB Final Report). The story of support and collaboration between agencies in the care of a young, homeless woman in 2010. This is Jenny’s story. (Name and image have been changed) Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies What does Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies do? • Family centred practice- we are able to assist the woman to identify her priorities for her family (based on the social model of health). • The program provides support, links and community based education. • We attend for home visits, or offer a safe visiting place of the woman’s choice. • Flexible and longer appointments are available according to needs on the day. • The program is FREE (at no cost to the woman). • Interpreters are FREE (at no cost to the woman). • Enhance and facilitate the referral process. • Care co-ordination between services, supports women to access the right service at the right time. Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Program achievements • Women’s psychosocial needs were typically complex and multifactorial. • 42% of women were assisted to access and attend maternity services. • 8% of women attended their first antenatal appointment after 27 weeks of pregnancy. • 23% were aged under 20 (Vic average <3% of all mothers in 2006). • 6% were Aboriginal (Vic average 1%) • 27% were refugees or newly arrived. • 52% of women reported housing insecurity. • 80% of women reported financial insecurity, with reliance on government benefits. • 23% reported family violence. • 41% of smokers modified their smoking behaviour. • Referrals were made to services for other family members in 19% of cases. Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies The program operates in 8 local government areas: Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies What area do we cover? Plenty Valley Community Health staff are able to travel from Thomastown to Whittlesea and Kinglake. Depending on need and client load there are occasions when we have accepted clients from bordering municipalities. Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies • Dianella Community Health • Covers the suburbs of: • Broadmeadows • Jacana • Dallas • Coolaroo • Meadow Heights • Roxburgh Park • Campbellfield • Tullamarine • The service is unable to accept • clients beyond these areas. Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Program Evaluation: was undertaken by HDG Consulting Group. The final report was presented to the Department of Health on 26 September 2011. The success of HMHB in providing vulnerable woman with support during pregnancy and assisting women to achieve improved health and psychosocial outcomes is demonstrated in the evaluation report. Please note this is not an emergency or after hours service. Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies • Referrals are accepted for women less than 34 weeks pregnant, consideration may be given in exceptional circumstances. • Referrals are made by: • Self referral • Community Agencies • General Practitioners • Hospitals • The preferred method of referral is: • E-referral: www.pvch.org.au • Telephone: Intake worker (03) 9409 8724 • Fax referral to: (03) 9408 9508. • For further information Cheryl Campbell from Plenty Valley CH Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies can be contacted on: • 0419 486 873 • We are not able to accept postnatal referrals. Cheryl Campbell

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies