Troy non-profit receives funding to expand maternal health program

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A local organization that supports new and expectant mothers received funding on Wednesday. Mom Starts Here was awarded a $20,000 grant from Fidelis Care.

The Troy-based nonprofit offers financial and social support to families in need. The money will be used to extend their community maternal health program. It puts community health workers in doctor offices to identify and eliminate barriers to prenatal and postpartum care such as lack of transportation and childcare.

"So by having a community health worker that's helping address those social determinants, we're increasing the likelihood that moms are able to access prenatal care, and we know those social determinants impact birth outcomes for both mom and baby," Mom Starts Here Founder and Exec. Dir. Kyla Schmidt said.

The community maternal health program started in 2023. Organizers said the new grant will allow them to extend it for another six months.