maternal & child health

Women, Infants, and Children Program

The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) safeguards the health of low-income women, infants, and children through age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods, education about healthy eating, and referrals to health care. 

Banking breast milk

Key Accomplishments & Outcomes for 2022

9,711

average number of participants reached monthly—an increase of over 600 participants per month since 2020

Received a

multimillion dollar contact

for psychotherapy visits through telehealth

Key Accomplishments & Outcomes for 2022

MAC-IMP received

$1.3M

in grant funding from the Robin Hood foundation to substantially expand our staff and our mental health, social work, and case management services for caregivers and young children

The American Academy for Pediatrics highlighted MAC-IMP as a

“Promising Practice” initiative

spotlighting the program’s focus on social determinants of health, integrative approaches, and community care

4,906

books were distributed to young families through the Reach Out and Read program

420+

families engaged in dyadic behavioral health interventions through HealthySteps

356+

families have been reached through the Postpartum Doula program since 2020

Maternal and Child Integrated
Mental Health Program

The Maternal and Child Integrated Mental Health Program (MAC-IMP) aligns target health metrics, care approaches, and dyadic interventions across obstetric, pediatric, and behavioral health services in Northern Manhattan community-based practices. MAC-IMP promotes community-wide health initiatives and strengthens support networks for young families. The shared goal is to improve the quality of care throughout the continuum of a mother’s and child’s life, including new caregivers at different stages of the perinatal and early childhood periods.

MAC-IMP successfully provides its services through the following programs:

  • Postpartum Doula Program
  • HealthySteps
  • Northern Manhattan Early Childhood Collaborative (NMECC)
  • Obstetric & Early Childhood Community Health Work Programs
  • Reach Out and Read (ROR)

Challenges & Successes

Expectant caregivers and young families continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with impacts on psychosocial health, financial stability, housing needs, and childhood growth. MAC-IMP social workers and community health workers help patients locate public and community psychosocial support resources. HealthySteps specialists and MAC-IMP case managers promote developmental screening, prevention, and linkages with early intervention services. They also work with patients to navigate affordable and public housing resources and employment services.

Support, guidance, and reassurance are essential for caregiver and infant well-being. Through an integrative, primary care model, MAC-IMP staff help caregivers manage the many structural, hormonal, and physical changes that occur during and after pregnancy to ensure optimal maternal and infant well-being.

Next Up

Youth Development