La Red Health Center recently launched its Maternal Outreach and Mobile Services: Advancing Health for Rural Delaware Families in Southern Delaware.

La Red's collaborating partners are Beebe Healthcare, TidalHealth, Community Resource Center in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware State Housing Authority and Delaware Division of Public Health.

To reach women and families who have traditionally lacked resources to access family planning or early prenatal care in southern Delaware, the MOMS project focuses on utilizing doulas, community health outreach workers and La Red’s mobile health unit. The goal is to educate women and connect them to care prior to a pregnancy or early during a pregnancy, or postpartum as a means of improving outcomes for mothers and their children.

“Far too many women in Southern Delaware have difficulty accessing women’s healthcare services,” said Rachel Hersh, CEO of La Red Health Center. “Some of the reasons are as simple as a lack of transportation. Ensuring that all women have the opportunity to receive care, and also care that is well-coordinated, will only help improve outcomes for Delaware women. Ultimately, that will lead to healthier communities, which benefits us all.”

The MOMS team recently visited Hickory Tree in Selbyville, a property managed by DSHA. “Part of our mission at DSHA is to provide our public housing residents with resources and access to services, from financial education to job training and health literacy. We have long recognized the benefit of having La Red visit our sites, and we are very excited for this partnership that will bring targeted services for women and families,” said Matthew Heckles, DSHA director.

The MOMS team has also visited the Community Resource Center in Rehoboth. Those inaugural visits connected 21 women to care.

“Our clients often lack transportation and the means to make it to critical healthcare appointments,” said Nancy Alexander, Community Resource Center executive director. “Many of the women we see need prenatal or postpartum care. This program fills a community need, and we are proud to support it.”

In 2024, the March of Dimes assigned Delaware a D+ for its high number of preterm births, including a rate of 10.2% of all births in Sussex County. Delaware’s infant mortality rate at 6.1% also exceeds the national average, according to the March of Dimes, with rates being highest among African American and Hispanic women. Provider shortages and transportation issues contribute to the problem.

Beebe Healthcare and TidalHealth hospitals routinely work with La Red Health Center to coordinate care.

“We know that when care is easier to reach, families are more likely to get the support they need earlier, and that can make a real difference for both moms and babies,” said Bridget Buckaloo, RN, executive director of women’s and children’s services at Beebe. “This program is a powerful example of partners coming together to improve access, reduce inequities, and connect women to care in a way that’s practical and respectful of real-life barriers. It’s innovative, community-focused work, and I’m proud to see it happening here and for Beebe to be a part of the solution alongside these excellent healthcare partners.” 

“Population health means building systems that support moms, protect babies and strengthen communities – together, through initiatives like MOMS,” said Kathryn Fiddler, DNP, vice president of population health at TidalHealth.

The MOMs project is made possible through funding provided by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.