Maternal Infant Health Program

Michigan Nightlight: In your view, what makes your program innovative, effective or remarkable?
Cherry Street Health Services Manager Kristin Batts and CEO Chris Shea: The fact that the Maternal Infant Health Program services are being delivered from the clients’ medical home through Cherry Street Health Services is remarkable. This program, located at the Durham Clinic in Grand Rapids, offers primary physician care, pediatrics and obstetrics, a WIC (Women, Infants & Children) services office, vision care, dental care, a pharmacy and eligibility assistance. There are also

It’s like one-stop shopping for pregnant women and their families.

comprehensive behavioral health services with access to therapists and psychiatrists. It’s like one-stop shopping for pregnant women and their families.
 
What was the best lesson learned in the past year?
The importance of collaboration. Of communication in managing change. The Michigan Department of Community Health made many of the Maternal Infant Health Program practice interventions more specific and evidence-based over the past year. It’s been interesting to learn the specific interventions that demonstrate results with at-risk pregnant women and to change or practice delivering these approaches.
 
What was the hardest lesson learned in the past year?
It’s been a considerable effort to communicate the importance of evidence-based, population management approaches to staff. Our staff continues to adapt to standardized interventions while still maintaining client focus.
 
What really differentiates this program?
The Maternal Infant Health Program is an interdisciplinary approach that is client-focused, yet evidence based, because of the effects that a relationship between a helping professional and a client can have on risk factors that affect the client’s

It’s been interesting to learn the specific interventions that demonstrate results with at-risk pregnant women and to change or practice delivering these approaches.

health. It allows professionals to collaborate together seamlessly, which eliminates a lot of inefficiencies.
 
What are the keys to success for your program?
That stakeholders at all levels, from clients to service providers to clients’ families all the way up to the policies and the lawmakers who create the policies, share similar goals. It is very important that they communicate effectively to bridge the gaps in social service delivery.
 
What are people in your program most inspired by?
Our staff is inspired by their clients’ successes and visionary leadership, and our clients are inspired by the opportunities that are accessible to them through the Maternal Infant Health Program.