Grant Description

BMH is an Espanola Valley birth center that works to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in rural communities by serving families through a culturally-appropriate midwifery model of care.

Tracking Metric

Description
BMH has maintained all of its programs during this time, and increased capacity in many areas. Our walk-in clinic has been adapted to meter the flow of clients while still accepting same-day visits. Our midwifery practice has seen an increase in clients, including many late transfers from other providers who are inhibited by hospital restrictions. We are expanding services to well-newborns, in response to decreased availability of these services in our community. Our food distribution program, formerly a small aspect of our program, has significantly increased in response to food access issues in our community and we provide regular distribution to 20-30 families per week with half delivered directly to families’ homes. We have started an emergency baby supply bank for Young Parents, which provides access to essential items and reduces their need to shop frequently because of cash-flow problems. We have maintained work with the Young Parents support group despite having to meet virtually. The group has started a digital storytelling project that will capture their lived experiences of parenting and build their capacity in media arts. Our policy work continues, with urgent responses to the changing landscape of Medicaid and the department of health. We are advocating for inclusion of Licensed Midwives in pandemic policy creation while also promoting access to midwifery care as part of a much needed emergency response plan that includes the needs of birthing people.

Goal
625