HW #41 - Independent Research

Government support for pregnant women and mothers in poverty - if you're poor and becoming a mother in NYC what programs could help you and how would you apply?

A:
Wintour, Patrick. "Pregnant Women To Be Given Assistance In Extension of Anti-poverty Strategy." guardian.co.uk. Guardian News and Media Limited, 09 Feb 2001. Web. 28 Mar 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2001/feb/09/socialcare1.
This government program's aim is to increase the potential for overall health and academic success in children, by educating pregnant women on the importance of health and diet during the duration of pregnancy. (Reasoning = Poor pregnant women have lower iron intake, and decisions taken in pregnancy can permanently set the life chances of their child). (evidence = low weight babies have long term health and education problems). Because this source is from 2001, it might not be very helpful or relevant to present issues. I also don't know if this program is taking place in the UK or in the US. This helps my research because it potentially contrasts with organizations in NYC, or provides and example of one of the NYC organizations, or tells poverty-strickent NYC women to move to the UK. Regardless, poor pregnant women (somewhere) can take part in this program.

Hope For New York, . "Midtown Pregnancy Support Center." hfny.org. Hope For New York, 2011. Web. 28 Mar 2011. http://hfny.org/midtown-pregnancy-support-center/.
This Christian organization's goal is to help working women in NYC that are otherwise unsupported by social service programs. It seeks particularly to provide women with an alternative to abortion, with healing after abortion, and with practical assistance in areas pertaining to pregnancy. This organization is thriving and successful, so it is very reliable as an example for helpful organization in nyc. Although this source may gear more towards middle-class women than women in poverty, it is relevant to the great chasm of need regarding birth/pregnancy help in nyc.

"Expert Design of Online Database Systems." www.medkind.com. Medkind Cororation, 2011. Web. 28 Mar 2011. http://www.medkind.com/.
The Free Clinic Foundation of America lists the national free clinics via this website. Pregnant women can go to free clinics and recieve care, free of cost, if they do not qualify for medicare/medicaid, and cannot get private insurance.
"Medicaid In New York State." www.health.state.ny.us. New York State Department OF Health, Feb 2011. Web. 28 Mar 2011. http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/.
If you are a pregnant woman who cannot afford medical care, you can apply for free medical care provided by Medicaid at most clinics and hospitals. Womens' rights granted by Medicaid: family planning services, treatment for children under age 21, care through home health agencies, clinic services, transportation to hospitals (ambulance or public transportation), and prenatal care. This website is reputable because it is Medicaid's home page.  This is an example of an opportunity for poor pregnant women in nyc.

"Pregnancy." www.nlm.nih.gov. Medline Plus , 04 Mar 2011. Web. 28 Mar 2011. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pregnancy.html.
also
HRSA, . "Women's Health." www.hrsa.gov. U.S. Department of Health and Services: Health Resources and Services Administration, 2011. Web. 29 Mar 2011. http://www.hrsa.gov/womenshealth/.
also
HRSA, . "Maternal and Child Health Bureau." www.hrsa.gov. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Health Resources and Services Administration, 2011. Web. 29 Mar 2011. http://mchb.hrsa.gov/.
Free general pregnancy related information and guidelines are available from sources like this. These are reputable because they are US government, computer-based national medical libraries and resource centers.

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, . "Info and Services for Pregnancy and Baby Care." www.nyc.gov. The City Of New York, 2011. Web. 28 Mar 2011. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/pregnancy/html/home/index.shtml.

If you are pregnant or thinking about having a baby, New York City has free and confidential sexual health services and health insurance programs as well as clinics to help with many pregnancy-related conditions.

Bloomberg, Michael R. . "Health Bulletin: How To Find A Doctor." www.nyc.gov. New York City Department Of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2011. Web. 28 Mar 2011. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/public/dohmhnews3-10.pdf.

Doctors are necessary and contribute to the health of individuals, families, and societies. Almost all low-income pregnant women and children are eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, Child Health Plus B, and Family Health Plus. This includes details of eligibility for different government provided insurances.

Department Of Health, . "WIC Programs - Women, Infants, Children." Health.state.ny.us. Department OF Health, 2011. Web. 28 Mar 2011. http://www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/nutrition/wic/.

Offers nutrition education, breastfeeding support, referrals and a variety of nutritious foods to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum women, infants and children up to age five. Participants have longer, healthier pregnancies and fewer premature births.

"Head Start Locations." Head Start Locator. Web. 29 Mar 2011. http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/HeadStartOffices#map-home.
This source reveals a list of all the nyc locations for Head Start, a program that financially helps mothers and mothers-to-be of all races, and young children so that children can reach their full potential and live with less risk.

B.
If possible, I would like to volunteer at one of the organizations above and observe first-hand what it is like to be a poor pregnant woman in NYC, and what it takes (on an individual, communal, and governmental level) to help them. I am waiting for a response regarding volunteer opportunities from HFNY. I know a woman who works there, so I hope to be able to tag along with her for a day as she counsels and works. This would enable me to learn how organizations help these women, and what challenges they face in the process.