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Perinatal Awareness for Successful Outcomes (PASOs) began in 2004 as a research study of the Latino population in the Midlands of South Carolina and the community's maternal and child health needs. The study revealed that Latina women have limited access and information about maternal and child health resources, which puts them and their babies at risk for preterm labor and pregnancy-related complications. In addition, results showed that South Carolina’s health system needed support to increase its capacity to effectively respond to the reproductive health needs of its growing Latino communities. Through the support of March of Dimes community grant funding, the program continues to grow across South Carolina today creating bridge between the Latino community and the health care system for the well-being of Latino women and children.
PASO's (meaning "steps" Spanish) mission is to empower Latino families to optimise maternal and child health within their social and cultural context through education, outreach, partnership, and advocacy. This mission is achieved through group-based prenatal edcucation based on a strengths perspective; training of community-based health educators to sustain healthy practices and increase access to care; and the formation of partnerships between Latino communities in South Carolina, academia, the non-profit sector, and the public health care system.
To learn more about the PASOs program including prenatal classes, community outreach and volunteering opportunities please visit www.scpasos.org.
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