BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Pictured, from left, are Dept. of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen, UPMC North Central President Patti Jackson-Gehris and Lycoming County Chief Deputy Coroner Kathryn Kiessling.

LOCK HAVEN — A new pilot project focused on improving care for pregnant women and babies is coming to Clinton County.

A “baby shower” event was held Tuesday afternoon at the State Health Center in Lock Haven to inform the public about the new initiative.

Since taking office, Governor Josh Shapiro has charged his Administration with finding ways to improve the health of the Commonwealth’s mothers, babies and families — this pilot project is one of those initiatives.

Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen spoke first on Tuesday afternoon, explaining her history, the background of the project and what they hope to achieve.

“For close to 25 years, I, as a pediatrician, provided care to families with newborns in the hospital. In the pediatric outpatient clinic, I had the amazing opportunity to watch those newborns grow into children, teens and young adults. In my role as a pediatrician I also supported parents in their parenting journeys,” said Bogan.

She continued, “From these experiences, I know that pregnancy, delivery and the post-partum periods can be joyous and exciting, but they can also be very overwhelming — especially the first time. That is why the Shapiro Administration is doing everything within its power to help ensure mothers, babies and their families have the support they need to thrive.”

Bogan noted in Pennsylvania and across the country, maternal and infant health metrics lag considerably when compared to countries like Canada, England and nearly all western countries.

According to Bogan, more than 100 Pennsylvania mothers lose their lives every year either during pregnancy or in the months after — more than twice the rate in Canada.

The data also demonstrated Black women in Pennsylvania were nearly two times more likely to die during pregnancy or in the year after than white women. They are also twice as likely to experience severe complications.

“We also know that in many areas of the state, access to pre- and post-pregnancy care is limited by several factors including the number of providers and/or the travel required to get to a visit. Travel can be particularly challenging during the winter months,” said Bogan.

Through a partnership with UPMC in North Central Pennsylvania and funding through the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Shapiro Administration is investing $1.3 million into a two-year pilot project being launched to provide a variety of physical, mental, emotional and social health resources for women in local regions with limited access to pre- and post-pregnancy care.

Services will include pregnancy testing, prenatal vitamins, health assessments and vital sign monitoring, depression screenings, car seat safety checks, one-on-one educational sessions and material on a variety of prenatal and postpartum topics.

It will also include social services referrals for mental health, substance abuse, WIC, SNAP, health coverage, food insecurity, housing, transportation and more.

“That is one of the great benefits of co-location of this health center right here with our county assistance office,” said Bogan.

Their goal is to develop a local network to provide easier access to basic pregnancy and postpartum care and provide services that support mothers, infants and families to thrive.

This collaborative model is anticipated to be adapted to other communities throughout the state to reduce barriers to high-quality care for families.

“We all want to support locally-responsive, effective strategies to help ensure Pennsylvania’s families thrive,” said Bogan.

“The Shapiro Administration is investing more than 1.3 million in funding for this pilot project because of our deep commitment to improving care for mothers and babies. All women who are, or think they may be, pregnant can visit our state health center on Bellefonte Avenue in Lock Haven for the basic prenatal services (listed,)” Bogan continued.

Next, UPMC in North Central Pennsylvania President, Patti Jackson-Gehris, spoke about her passion for the pilot project.

“I am thrilled to stand here and be part of sharing this exciting news. This announcement underscores our shared commitment to collaboration on multiple levels to ensure women in our community have access to the essential healthcare services they need and deserve,” said Jackson-Gehris.

She noted the challenges communities like Clinton County face when it comes to access to quality healthcare.

“As the regional president, my primary responsibility is to ensure that our services are effectively meeting the evolving and changing needs of our communities. We are always seeking opportunities to collaborate with valued partners such as the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services and many others, to support critical community health initiatives like this pilot program,” she said.

Jackson-Gehris said the women’s health experts in this region are proud to be a part of the UPMC Magee-Womens network.

“This affiliation connects our patients locally to world class care and specialty services while maintaining a strong focus on the needs of these local communities. Whether it’s preventative care, treatment or specialized services, our dedicated teams are committed to providing comprehensive care right here in Lock Haven, and supporting this important pilot and outreach project,” she said.

Women in rural communities face unique challenges, according to Jackson-Gehris, which can include limited access to specialized care and maternal health resources.

“These challenges are too significant for any one organization to tackle alone. That’s why it is so meaningful that we’re highlighting the power of collaboration and partnership. (Many organizations) are coming together, pooling our resources (and) expertise, to create meaningful change for women right here,” said Jackson-Gehris.

She hopes this innovative model of care inspires others to adopt similar approaches across the state, and is just the beginning of a larger ongoing dialogue aimed at developing sustainable solutions to ensure every woman has access to crucial care.

“I encourage everybody, community members, to take an active role in advocating for expanded women’s health services. I urge local businesses, policy makers (and) organizations to support funding initiatives that improve healthcare access for women in our region. Let’s make today the first step in working together for healthier pregnancies and improved care for the women in our communities,” said Jackson-Gehris.

Lycoming County Chief Deputy Coroner Kathryn Kiessling also attended to speak about her role in providing much needed care to families regardless of what county they reside in.

According to Kiessling, the Lycoming County Coroner’s Office has been the lead agency for Safe Kids PA Lycoming County Partner and the Lycoming County Cribs for Kids program for more than 15 years.

“We know that the first stage of child health begins with maternal health,” said Kiessling, “Given that Clinton County does not have a labor and delivery unit available here, their maternal residents often travel to UPMC Williamsport to give birth.”

Kiessling stated the mission of Cribs for Kids is to prevent infant sleep related deaths by educating parents and caregivers on the importance of practicing safe sleep for their babies and providing portable cribs to families who otherwise cannot afford a safe place for their child(ren) to sleep; the mission of Safe Kids is to prevent accidental childhood injuries and deaths to children ages 19 and under through education, collaboration and advocacy.

She also noted that through these two programs, they make sure that babies are discharged with a carseat ready for safe travels home, and a safe sleep environment when they get there.

“If either of those two incredibly important safety products is missing, we provide them free of charge to the family regardless of where they reside,” said Kiessling.

You can find more information about Safe Kids PA and this local partner on their website, www.lyco.org/Elected-Officials/Coroner/Safe-Kids or on their Facebook titled “Safe Kids PA Lycoming County Partner.”