Thirty-eight health care networks, county health departments and other providers have been awarded grants to provide perinatal services to families, according to New York State Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell. The Nassau County Health Department was awarded $413,000 of the $7.2 million in total grants.

The funding will support two state Department of Health initiatives designed to identify and fill gaps in health care services, improve coordination of existing services and provide outreach, education and advocacy to families.

"I applaud Governor Pataki for awarding this grant money to the health department and laud his support of women, children and families across New York state," O'Connell said. "This grant will provide access to care that was previously unavailable to many families," O'Connell added.

The funding will be administered through two grant programs, the Comprehensive Prenatal-Perinatal Services Network and the Community Health Worker Program. Both of these programs are funded through and enhance medical and supportive services provided by the Prenatal Care Assistance Program.

The Comprehensive Prenatal-Perinatal Services Network develops partnerships within the community to facilitate access to and availability of a comprehensive system of perinatal care services, including: pre-conceptional, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and newborn care, reproductive health, as well as related maternal and child-health services.

The Community Health Worker Program trains individuals who provide one-on-one grassroots outreach, education, case management and home visiting to low-income pregnant and parenting families in selected areas of the state with poor birth outcomes.

"These groups provide a personalized approach to care that helps women feel more comfortable while helping families maintain a healthy lifestyle, and these grants will help facilitate that," O'Connell concluded.

For more information on the grant, one may contact the Nassau County Health Department at 571-1680.