When Estraya was referred to the Maternal Infant Health Program of Washtenaw County Public Health, she was 7 months pregnant, had not been seen by a doctor, spoke little English and was very scared. The Maternal Infant Health Program helped Estraya by referring her to a doctor as well as help her apply for social service programs she had not accessed. 

A Public Health Nurse, Social Worker, and Nutritionist also visited Estraya in her home before after the arrival of her baby.  They aquired a crib, mattress and other baby items & supplies for Estraya and helped to educate her, working with a translator when necessary on things like “Safe Sleep” (Did you know that in Washtenaw County the top three reasons that infants die are prematurity, birth defects and then, unsafe sleep environments?)

• More comprehensive pre- and post-natal services and resources help ensure fewer problems with health – both long-term physical and emotional health – of mother and child.

• Working in the home setting helps providers understand the level of need – and helps clients “get” information more readily.

• And what about the cost savings associated with avoiding premature births, and often long-term illness due to poor health practices? Costs are 10 to one in favor of early help. For every dollar spent early in programs like this, the community can avoid spending ten times as much in care and resources later on.