We extend our deepest gratitude to Presbyterian Health Plan for their generous partnership with Las Cumbres Community Services, championing the health and well-being of new and expectant mothers in northern New Mexico. With their $25,000 investment, the ¡Que Cute! Healthy Baby program receives vital support, ensuring access to prenatal and maternal care in Rio Arriba County. This collaboration underscores the importance of addressing health-related social needs, such as housing, food, and transportation, which can profoundly impact maternal and child health outcomes. By bolstering initiatives like the ¡Que Cute! program, Presbyterian Health Plan demonstrates a steadfast commitment to improving perinatal care in New Mexico. Together, we are fostering caring relationships, providing essential resources, and empowering mothers to navigate the journey of pregnancy with confidence and support. Thank you, Presbyterian Health Plan, for your unwavering dedication to maternal and child health in our community.
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PRESBYTERIAN HEALTH PLAN PARTNERS WITH LAS CUMBRES COMMUNITY SERVICES TO SUPPORT PRENATAL AND MATERNAL HEALTH IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Presbyterian Health Plan is partnering with Las Cumbres Community Services to enhance care opportunities for new and expectant mothers. The $25,000 community investment will strengthen the ¡Que Cute! Healthy Baby program, which supports access to prenatal and maternal care in Rio Arriba County.
Access to prenatal care is an important indicator of maternal and child health. But health-related social needs, like inadequate housing, food and transportation, can impact how and when people receive care.
“There are many factors that impact whether someone accesses prenatal care within the first trimester,” said Megan Moore, Executive Director of Population Health for Presbyterian Health Plan. “We’re partnering with local organizations to support programs that are addressing these health-related social needs and helping expand access to maternal and prenatal care.”
Presbyterian Health Plan (PHP) is committed to improving perinatal care in New Mexico. It is investing in developing and training more skilled providers, integrating community health workers and peer support specialists into care teams, and partnering with Presbyterian Community Health to bolster support of community-based organizations (CBOs) in rural areas of the state. Las Cumbres Community Services is a CBO in northern New Mexico. It’s ¡Que Cute! Healthy Baby (QCHB) Program reduces stressors on moms and babies by connecting them to care navigators, resources and support systems.
“We really focus on building caring relationships between our navigators and the mothers, so they are more receptive to receiving support for a healthy pregnancy,” said Maribel Lemus, QCHB Program Manager. “Supports can be anything from coordination and transportation to prenatal appointments and providing birthing information, nutrition support, and substance use and mental health treatment resources.”
Participants say help from QCHB navigators was essential in getting to appointments, signing up for financial assistance and as moral support during pregnancy.
"I received great support throughout my entire pregnancy," one new mother said. "[My navigator] helped me with whatever I needed to make this sweet wait more comfortable, like a girdle to carry my belly. At the time of delivery, she was very attentive, she told me that if she wanted, she could be here, something that I thank her from the bottom of my heart because I don't have a family here."
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About Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Presbyterian Healthcare Services exists to improve the health of patients, members and the communities we serve. Presbyterian is a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system of nine hospitals, a statewide health plan and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Founded in New Mexico in 1908, it is the state’s largest private employer with more than 13,000 employees.