Winners of grants intended to advance women’s health care announced

PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh announced the grantees that will administer the new Women’s Service Program, a grant intended to advance accessible and inclusive women’s health care, especially for pregnant and parenting women.

The program will expand access to comprehensive, evidence-based care, support, and education across the Commonwealth. The new Women’s Service Program will support women in an empathetic, culturally-informed way no matter their background, identity, or income, and specifically seeks to assist pregnant women and new mothers through this critical period.

Grantees and their partners will foster access to: 

• Prenatal care and postpartum supports; 
• Early detection and prevention of health conditions; 
• Parenting education programming; 
• Menstrual and reproductive health education and products as needed; 
• Sexually-transmitted infection testing and care or referrals; and, 
• Referrals for assistance with other physical or behavioral health care needs. 

The grantees and their service areas are: 

• Region 1: Adagio Health (serving Cameron, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango, and Warren counties) 
• Region 2: Adagio Health (serving Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties) 
• Region 3: Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania (serving Adams, Bedford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, and York counties) 
• Region 4: Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania (serving Blair, Bradford, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Tioga, Union, and Sullivan counties)  
• Region 5: Maternal & Family Health Services (serving Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wyoming, and Wayne counties) 
• Region 6: Maternity Care Coalition (serving Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties) 

“All women deserve comprehensive, empathetic care and counsel – especially when they are pregnant or adjusting to the change of being a parent and caring for a new child,” Secretary Arkoosh said. “The Women’s Service Program will support and empower women, promoting good health for themselves and their families by expanding access to health care and educational supports

Grantees also are able to establish partnerships with other local service providers that can offer care and support in line with the program’s goals and requirements. Organizations interested in offering services through the Women’s Service Program are encouraged to contact the grantee for their region to discuss opportunities to participate.