The Children’s Services Council of Leon County (CSC Leon) is proud to announce the unanimous approval of the Perinatal Navigator Program, a new initiative created in partnership with the Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition. This program is designed to support expectant and new mothers by providing personalized, comprehensive care coordination and case management, ensuring that every family has access to the resources they need for a healthy pregnancy, safe delivery, and strong start to early childhood.
Why the Perinatal Navigator Program is Critical
Leon County faces significant challenges when it comes to maternal and infant health. With rates of infant mortality, low birth weight, and maternal morbidity higher than state averages, it’s clear that more needs to be done to support mothers and babies in our community. These issues disproportionately affect women of color and families facing socioeconomic hardships, highlighting the urgent need for targeted, culturally competent interventions.
The Perinatal Navigator Program was created to address these disparities by providing expectant mothers with the guidance, support, and resources necessary to ensure healthy outcomes for both mother and child. Through this initiative, Perinatal Navigators—trained, non-clinical community health workers—will work directly with families to identify barriers to care and connect them to social supports and other essential resources.
How the Program Will Work
Perinatal Navigators will be co-located in at least seven prenatal provider offices across Leon County, working closely with expectant mothers from their first prenatal visit through the infant’s first year of life. Navigators will provide essential care coordination, connecting families to vital services such as:
- Access to Prenatal and Postnatal Care: Helping mothers navigate medical systems, secure appointments, and adhere to recommended care protocols.
- Mental Health Support: Offering screenings and connections to services that address issues like perinatal depression and anxiety.
- Connection to Social Services and Concrete Supports: Offering assistance to families address transportation, food insecurity, childcare, and more.
Families enrolled in the program will also be eligible for financial incentives for attending medical appointments and completing key health screenings, ensuring consistent care throughout their pregnancy and their child’s early life.
Breaking Down Transportation Barriers
One of the most significant barriers many families face is reliable transportation to medical appointments and services. In addition to launching the Perinatal Navigator Program, CSC Leon has made a targeted investment in the existing Lyft Program, operated by 2-1-1 Big Bend. This program will help ensure that any family participating in the Perinatal Navigator Program has access to free or low-cost transportation to prenatal, postnatal, and pediatric care appointments. By addressing transportation barriers, CSC Leon aims to reduce missed appointments and improve overall health outcomes for both mothers and babies.
A Community-Centered Approach
The success of the Perinatal Navigator Program is built on strong community partnerships. By leveraging the expertise of the Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition and working in partnership with local healthcare providers, CSC Leon is ensuring that the program is both comprehensive and accessible to the families who need it most. This initiative is designed to serve all women across the Capital Area, including those who are low-income or experiencing high-risk pregnancies, ensuring no one is left behind.
Looking Ahead
With the unanimous approval of the Perinatal Navigator Program, CSC Leon is excited to take the next steps in transforming maternal and infant health in our community. By ensuring that every baby is born healthy and every mother has the support she needs, we are laying the foundation for future success. This program aligns with CSC Leon’s broader focus on kindergarten readiness, as healthier pregnancies and well-supported early childhoods lead to stronger developmental outcomes. By reducing health disparities and improving access to care, we are helping to prepare children for lifelong learning and success from the very start.
For more information about the Perinatal Navigator Program and how to participate, contact Capital Area Healthy Start.
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