Delaware has a new program to help moms get off to a Healthy Start

Healthy Families First

DELAWARE – The Department of Health and Social Services in Delaware is rolling out a new program aimed at helping new moms. This new waiver will assist qualifying new mothers with additional government assistance to help with their motherhood journey.

Steven Costantino is ready to launch this program, and as the Director of Healthcare reform, he’s spent a lot of time collecting the data that shows why this initiative is needed. “Having a healthy mother creates having a healthy baby… the evidence shows that, you know, mothers who lack nutrition, who lack some of the influence and determinants around them that create stress, as we reduce those issues as we provide food and nutrition, as we provide resources so they can manage their pregnancy, they have ultimately better outcomes.”

He tells us that for the first 12 weeks after birth mother will receive, 2 meals a day, 3 days a week for the entire family, 346 diapers per month for those 12 weeks, and post-partum treatment and care. “What we try to do with Medicaid waivers, is connect what we call the social determinant, what that really means is the nutrition with the healthcare. We try to connect them where they’re working together.”

Mothers who are already receiving assistance are eligible, but the department says that any new mother can apply, and they are here to help. Steven says that this program is unlike any others. Mothers are encouraged to continue seeking help and support once the 12-week wavier is complete. “This is new, this is novel, this is different, this is exciting… We’re trying to reduce the stress around those critical decisions, so that we have healthier families.”

The department tells us that mothers can officially apply by July 1st.