Grantee submission by: Jean Holmgren, Communications and Advocacy Associate
How did the funding or non-monetary support you received from the Foundation impact your organization and/or the community?
This funding is allowing us to bring well visits and a vaccination program for children to our Circle of Care Scranton office, where we are able to provide these services to children and young adults up to age 21 who may not otherwise receive this care due to inability to pay. Rather than refer these clients to another provider, when transportation is often an issue for our clients, they can get this vital health care at a provider their parents already know and trust. We are preparing to move our Scranton office into a new, state of the art facility in May 2023, and funding from the Moses Taylor Foundation was critical in purchasing the equipment and supporting the operations of these services in our new location.
Share a quote or anecdotal story from a client or employee of your organization that illustrates the impact of your work.
“I started going to Maternal and Family Health Services when I found out I was expecting my first child three years ago. They were so sweet and understanding. No judgement. I had a hard time quitting smoking and they made me feel like they understood how hard it was and never judged how long it took me. They offer a range of programs from WIC and at home nurses that help 1st time moms all in the same building. Anyone who has ever had multiple experiences with bad health care facilities and doctors or nurses will know how valuable finding such a compassionate group of healthcare professionals!” – Nicki, MFHS Client (provided via Google review)
What do you most want the community to know about your work and/or what excites you most about the future of your organization?
MFHS seeks to expand care access in Lackawanna County and the surrounding region by implementing a maternity medical home model of care, which is a first for our community. We will be providing a patient-centered and proactive approach to care. We’ve long focused on reducing barriers to receiving care through initiatives like co-locating with community partners that also serve our patients. The expansion of Circle of Care in Scranton is the natural next step of that work. The MFHS Circle of Care will be a “one-stop-shop” for pregnancy care in the greater Scranton area, with services including laboratory, pharmacy, ultrasound, routine care visits, dental, behavioral health, social services, and non-stress testing. We are thrilled to offer this proactive model of care to those who need it most.