$350K Grant to Fund Maternal Health Programs

To address increased anxiety and stress among new and expectant mothers and fathers in vulnerable communities, MOMS Orange County, the county’s largest nonprofit dedicated solely to newborn and pregnancy health, has received a three-year, $350,000 grant from UniHealth Foundation.

Funding from Los Angeles-based UniHealth Foundation will provide bilingual group health programming for new moms, new dads, expand home visitation for new moms experiencing anxiety and depression, and provide specialized one-on-one education and support for victims/survivors of domestic violence. It also provides direct access to licensed mental health care for expecting or new parents who otherwise would have barriers to accessing such services.

“We are incredibly grateful to the UniHealth Foundation for partnering with us to support these critical issues surrounding the mental health of new and expecting parents” said MOMS Orange County CEO David Lugo. “Life has become significantly more stressful and difficult for new parents,” he added. “These expanded services will help them build a community of support to cope and care for themselves, which ultimately helps the entire family.”

“The continued uncertainty of the pandemic has increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Becoming a new parent is one of the most joyous moments in life and UniHealth Foundation wants to support new families in this exciting journey during these trying times,” said Jennifer Vanore, PhD, President & COO of UniHealth Foundation. “By investing in supports for new parents, we hope to reduce the long-term negative impact of this pandemic on future generations.”

About MOMS Orange County

MOMS Orange County formed 30 years ago in response to a crisis in access to prenatal healthcare for low-income, at-risk women. Today, MOMS Orange County serves more than 2,500 low-income families annually, directly influencing improvements in birth outcomes, maternal health, and developmental indicators among infants within a highly disadvantaged population.

For more information, visit www.momsorangecounty.org.

About UniHealth Foundation

UniHealth Foundation supports and facilitates activities that significantly improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Their grantmaking vision is focused on the areas of population & community health, healthcare delivery systems and healthcare workforce.

For more information, visit www.unihealthfoundation.org.

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