El Centro De La Familia: $15,500, Bremerton-Kitsap County Health District: This program has served 337 adults and 178 children, offering public health nurse services, educational classes, WIC, assistance acquiring medical coverage and other support. Over 150 women and children obtained DSHS coverage through the program. At least 275 clients attended sessions on topics such as pregnancy planning, folic acid, HIV/AIDS, drug/alcohol/tobacco use, parenting and other classes. The center has expanded to offer services two days a week. This project will be sustained through community agency and local health district funds.

Improving Perinatal Services Through Education of Service Providers: $20,000, Public Health – Seattle & King County:  To improve perinatal services in King County, continuing education conferences were offered to 488 participants representing 56 local agencies. National speakers delivered pregnancy-related topics such as HIV, folic acid, domestic violence, prenatal diagnosis, cultural competency and clients with pregnancy challenges. Participants’ feedback contributed to a final version of "Prenatal Guidelines for King County First Steps Providers," which will eventually be posted on their website.

Community Resource Network: $3,750, Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason & Thurston Counties:  First Steps and WIC in Lewis, Mason & Thurston counties lacked access to current information on available resources for pregnant women and families. To eliminate this problem, the counties’ internal network was updated and information was posted electronically, enabling both agency staff and families to access information through the Crisis Clinic Resource Network at http://www.crisisclinic.org/. Currently, 65% of their target audience is aware of the network. Additional promotion is underway. This project will be sustained through the Crisis Clinic’s annual update process.

King County Best Beginnings Community Advisory Council, $19,000, United Way of King County Children’s Initiative:  To find a long-term solution to adequate case management for first-time pregnant and low-income mothers, an advisory council conducted three focus groups including mothers, practitioners and community leaders to assess the needs of clients. Recommendations were made to improve and sustain culturally competent home visiting programs in King County. Suggestions included increased geographic coverage, development of a telephone resource line, modifying transportation vouchers, connecting center-based services and activities and a cultural competency element.

Bilingual Perinatal/Labor Support Program, $25,000, Providence Yakima Maternity Center:  The growing Spanish speaking community of Yakima lacked adequate bi-lingual labor support. A scholarship program helped seven women complete Doula Training and has since served 72 mothers. Doulas work with the mother before, during and after delivery. A referral registration form was also created and a database of referral agencies is being compiled. Additional funds were used to create and implement a Spanish-language childbirth education program.

Northern Stevens County Outreach: $9,500, Kettle Falls School District 212:  Rural Stevens County’s teen pregnancy rates were consistently higher than the state average. Information on pregnancy, parenting and high-risk behaviors was provided to school classrooms. Guest speakers presented the reality of teen parenting. At the end of the school year, there was a 57% reduction in teen pregnancy rates. A survey assessed students’ knowledge and attitudes about sex and pregnancy, and results were shared with school staff and administration to aid in planning future programs. Ten in-home visits with pregnant students provided information on nutrition, folic acid, birth defects and other keys to a healthy pregnancy.

"Prevent Double Jeopardy:" $24,869, Fetal Alcohol & Drug Unit, University of Washington – King & Pierce Counties:  This program helped 20 women born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects (FES/FAE) prevent a second generation of FES/FAE babies by creating a strategy for assisting providers. Individuals from 15 agencies were identified and asked to take a FES/FAE client as a case study. Those individuals then shared their experiences with others in their agencies. Steps included an assessment of current home visitation models that resulted in identifying and providing 92% of clients with a primary health care provider. Additional goals met included developing guidelines for improving delivery of services to FES/FAE women and creating best practices strategies for practitioners.

Enrollment Field Guide Project: $1,500, Grant County Health District:  In this highly rural county, the health district needed a guide to help agencies find information on services and enrollment. Over 100 manuals detailing information on outreach services available in rural Grant County were distributed to major medical facilities, school districts and public service agencies. Manuals include information on medical coverage, eligibility and a booklet on Grant County "Resources for Families." Local agencies use the information to assist families, especially pregnant women, in locating and enrolling in programs.

"Children of Children" Art Exhibit, $4,000, Teen Choice Not Chance:  Teenagers need relevant information about pregnancy and reproductive health, delivered in a manner they can understand. With this goal in mind "Teen Choice, Not Chance" of Pullman brought the "Children of Children: Portraits and Stories of Teenage Parents" art exhibit to their area. An estimated 600 people attended and were provided with health information outside the exhibit. In addition, three newspaper articles were published which helped provide community awareness.