Healthy Start of Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon is home to higher than average rates of infant mortality and health disparities for mothers and their babies. Healthy Start of Southern Oregon aims to reduce these rates through community-based services for women, infants, and their families. Healthy Start of Southern Oregon provides direct client services through partnering agencies and also convenes task forces in Josephine and Douglas Counties to improve systems of care related to infant and maternal health. The program is funded through a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Who does the program serve?
Healthy Start of Southern Oregon provides services to women and families in Josephine and Douglas Counties before, during, and after pregnancy. This is a critical time for families and we believe that supporting women and infants during any part of this journey can build and strengthen their health outcomes. Families enrolled in our programs are typically in rural areas, have limited access to care, and sometimes experience other risk factors such as cultural or geographic isolation, housing instability, food insecurity, substance use, and lack of support from their families.
What kinds of services are provided?
Healthy Start services are always individualized to meet a person’s needs. Women enrolled in Healthy Start can expect to be offered support, education, and/or community referrals to address the following:
- Birth Plan/Childbirth Education
- Breastfeeding Information
- Counseling Support
- Medical and Dental Appointments/Insurance
- Family Planning
- Fatherhood Support
- Housing Assistance
- Nutrition Information
- Prenatal Care
- Postpartum Care
- STI Treatment/Prevention
- Substance Use/Abuse
- Well-Baby Care
- Women’s Health
Community Task Force Goals:
- Develop & use a collective impact network
- Increase service coordination and systems integration
- Promote community engagement and multi-sector collaboration
- Offer trainings and community events related to infant and maternal health
- Improve awareness of health equity and the social determinants of health
Who coordinates services?
Direct-care coordination is managed by our local partners: Siskiyou Community Health Center, Women’s Health Center of Southern Oregon, and United Community Action Network (UCAN).
To learn more about Healthy Start of Southern Oregon, or refer a client to the program, please contact the Healthy Start Program Manager Lee Ann Grogan via email: LeeAnn.Grogan@hccso.org
