The Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health has in recent years had a big focus on reducing infant mortality.

One of those programs, which has been around for 30 years, the Adopt-A-Mom program, is getting about $47,000 in grant money from Every Baby Guilford – a coalition of community organizations and health partners intent on protecting the health of babies born in the county.

The Adopt-A-Mom program provides medical support as well as prenatal care to pregnant women who are undocumented, uninsured or who otherwise fell through the cracks – including those who aren’t eligible for Medicaid and can’t afford to pay on their own.

The Guilford County Division of Public Health oversees the Adopt-A-Mom program that each year helps an average of 230 pregnant women, seeing that they get prenatal care despite their inability to pay.

Before the program began, many women in this situation just showed up at the hospital to give birth despite receiving no previous prenatal care.

Even though the service is free to clients, it cost money to run, and, on Thursday March 21, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners is set to accept the grant of just under $47,000 from Every Baby Guilford to further the goals of the program.

The Guilford County Division of Public Health and Every Baby Guilford have formed a contractual relationship over the years that covers the implementation of services meant to reduce infant mortality.

The county provides staff, supplies and equipment, among other things, to the Adopt-A-Mom program.

The Adopt-A-Mom program is both internally and externally focused – that is, clients are referred to local physicians as well as the public health division’s maternity clinics.

This grant will be used by the county to fund prenatal doctor visits and ultrasounds.

The Adopt-A-Mom Program has existed for over 30 years and has received numerous awards for being “a creative, community driven solution to significant health challenges.”

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