Affiliations: University of New England, Portland, ME, USA | Community Caring Collaborative, Machias, ME, USA | Independent Evaluator
Note: [] Corresponding author: Jennifer Morton, Department of Nursing,
University of New England, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME, USA. Tel.: +1 207
221 4476; E-mail: Jmorton@une.edu
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The antecedents that contribute to health disparities in
maternal child health populations begin before birth and extend into the early
prenatal and gestational growth periods. Mothers and infants living in rural
poverty in particular are at considerable risk for problems associated with
reproductive health, including pregnancy complications and premature births.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this manuscript is thus two-fold, to describe
the epidemiologic makeup of the community and the intervention model of the
Community Caring Collaborative. METHODS: Innovative models of early-integrated care for high-risk
mothers and children are showing promise for long-term outcomes. They foster
environments that enable mothers to trust health systems while maintaining a
workforce of high functioning health workers who understand the mechanisms that
underpin maternal and child health disparities. The Community Caring
Collaborative in Washington County, Maine developed one such model that has
made inroads in bridging such gaps. This manuscript explicates a case study of
how the Community Caring Collaborative came into being and why it established
the Bridging model of comprehensive care. The focus of this manuscript is thus
two-fold, the community and the intervention model. RESULTS: The "bridging model" develops trust-based relationships
between high-risk mothers with the health system and its multiple resources.
Community members with advanced training provide the support and care linkages
that are critical for family success. CONCLUSIONS: Innovative models of collaborative care impact the
health of vulnerable mothers and their children working toward a marked
decrease in health related disparities.
