Support Maternal Health by Addressing Social Determinants of Health

This week we’re taking a closer look at how social determinants of health (SDoH) impact health outcomes for pregnant women and new mothers, and how Findhelp is partnering with customers across industries and geographies to support maternal health.

Social Care Factors Impact the Maternal Health of Pregnant Women & Mothers

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, around 1 in 5 women experience mental health issues during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth.

Social care needs can increase this risk; it’s impossible to focus on all of the changes that come with being a new mom, including your mental health and wellbeing, when you’re worried about paying rent, buying diapers, or providing food for your family.

Our customers use Findhelp to connect pregnant women, mothers, and their children with social care resources that address their immediate needs, lower postpartum stress, and improve health outcomes.

Partnering to Support Maternal Health

The Findhelp platform includes multiple filters that users can apply to narrow their search results to programs that specialize in serving families, parents, mothers, and young children.

Maternal health filters on Findhelp platforms

We partner with hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, payers, and more to support new parents. Here we highlight how a few of these organizations successfully partner and innovate with us to support pregnant women and mothers and improve health outcomes.

Massachusetts | City of Somerville’s “SomerBaby” Program

The City of Somerville is home to a diverse mix of 79,815 blue-collar families, young professionals, college students, and recent immigrants from a range of countries, including El Salvador, Haiti, and Brazil. One of the most ethnically-diverse cities in the U.S., more than 50 languages are spoken in Somerville Public Schools.

The Somerville Hub is a community effort originally intended for the early learning community and made possible by Early Learning Challenge Grant funding support from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.
Since 2017, the Hub has served youth of all ages and their families.

Partnering with Findhelp

In 2021, SomerPromise (part of the Somerville Health and Human Services department) expanded the Hub to include a resource and referral tool called the Somerville Hub Connect (powered by Findhelp). This tool allows families and community members to search for and get connected to the resources they need.
The SomerBaby Program was launched in 2020 based on community feedback. The free program welcomes new babies into the Somerville community and participants receive a home visit, home safety information, information and support on breastfeeding, and referrals to additional resources via Somerville’s Findhelp platform.
The program is actively accepting and managing applications via their listing on the Findhelp platform.

Indiana | “Pregnancy Promise Program”

The Indiana Pregnancy Promise Program (IPPP) is a free, voluntary program for pregnant Medicaid members who use opioids or have used opioids in the past. The program connects individuals to prenatal and postpartum care, treatment for opioid use disorder, and social care resources (via Findhelp). IPPP is funded by a grant from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and is administered by Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA).

IPPP requires Indiana’s four Managed Care Entities (MCEs) to use their Findhelp platforms to refer pregnant members with opioid use disorder to needed social care resources.
Along with Findhelp’s dedicated Community Engagement team, these MCEs train local community organizations on how to use the Findhelp platform to accept and respond to IPPP-related referrals.

Partnership Results

Since its launch in 2022, the program has enrolled 543 Medicaid members, 94% of whom maintained recovery through 12 months postpartum.
In addition, 2,114 social care referrals for housing, transportation, nutrition, and other services have been made on behalf of participants via the participating MCEs’ Findhelp platforms.

Indiana Pregnancy Promise Program participants partner with Findhelp to support maternal health

Texas | Superior HealthPlan’s Success with Delivering Car Seats & Diapers via Findhelp’s Marketplace Fulfillment Program

Superior Health Plan partners with Findhelp to support maternal health

Since 1999, Austin-based Superior HealthPlan (part of Centene Corporation) has been providing health care to members across Texas. Today, they support nearly 1.7 million Texas members by transforming the health of their community, one person at a time.

They launched Superior HealthPlan CARES (powered by Findhelp) in 2015.
Superior offers its members a Value-added Service called Start Smart for Your Baby®. Through this program, expectant moms can complete educational classes about self-care and baby-care during and after pregnancy. Members who complete this educational program are eligible to receive a free car seat and diapers.
From 2021 to 2023, Findhelp fulfilled orders of car seats and diapers for the Start Smart for Your Baby® program.

Partnership Results

In the project’s first year, 3,255 expectant mothers received car seats and diapers.
As a direct result of the new process, average monthly referrals increased 550% and Superiorʼs closed-loop rate jumped 500%.
The partnership created efficiencies for Superiorʼs Obstetrics Care Management team, their Supervisor, and their Director. As highlighted below, the end results exceeded expectations.

Join Us May 22: Iowa Maternal Health Solutions Roundtable Luncheon

Maternal health is a top priority for Iowa policymakers, prompting leaders to work together to identify trends, causes, and opportunities to ensure the health and well-being of families.

On May 22, from 11:30am to 1:30pm Central, Findhelp brought together Iowa leaders from across industries to discuss maternal health solutions during a luncheon at the Embassy Suites Downtown Des Moines.

Join your peers working at the forefront of health and social care integration, featuring a powerful coalition of leaders from government and healthcare organizations.

Together, we explored new policies, delved into groundbreaking innovations, and discussed impactful approaches that pave the way for transformation.

Can’t Attend the Roundtable?

You can still take advantage of Findhelp’s robust network of community programs and search for free and reduced-cost resources for Iowa parents and young children on our free website, Iowa Maternal Health.

The site features a tailored set of categories that are the most relevant for parents with young children, making it easy for you to quickly find and connect to programs that can help.

Supporting Maternal Health, Together

Connect with us to learn more about how we can partner to support maternal health.