South Carolina

South Carolina offers a range of programs and initiatives focused on enhancing perinatal care and improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Below is an overview of key programs and resources available in the state:

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control oversees numerous programs dedicated to maternal and child health, including:

WIC Nutrition Program: Provides health education, nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and other services at no cost to eligible families in South Carolina.

Maternal and Child Health Services: Focuses on comprehensive health care services designed to meet the needs of pregnant women before, during, and after delivery, as well as infants and preschool children from birth to five years.

BirthMatters: BirthMatters is a community-based doula program operating in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It offers comprehensive support to over 50 young mothers annually, including prenatal education, labor assistance, and postpartum care. Additionally, the program provides pregnancy prevention counseling to more than 400 community members each year. By reducing cesarean sections and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, and promoting breastfeeding and postpartum family planning, BirthMatters has contributed to significant healthcare cost savings in the region.

Family Solutions – South Carolina Office of Rural Health: Family Solutions is a Healthy Start initiative serving the rural counties of Orangeburg, Bamberg, Barnwell, Allendale, and Hampton. The program provides individualized support to over 400 mothers and 600 babies annually through client-centered assessments and interventions. By collaborating closely with community and healthcare providers, Family Solutions has achieved a 65% reduction in infant mortality rates among its clients.
Community Health Alignment

PASOs: PASOs is a statewide program that engages Spanish-speaking CHWs, known as Promotores de Salud, to connect Latino communities with essential health services and information. Operating across 35 counties, PASOs has successfully assisted nearly 5,000 individuals in accessing resources that lead to positive health and behavioral changes. The program also collaborates with over 200 agencies to enhance cultural competence, resulting in 82% of clients reporting improved situations through effective engagement with community resources.

These programs collectively contribute to the enhancement of perinatal care in South Carolina, ensuring better health outcomes for mothers and infants across the state.