Today U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) was recognized by Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS) with the Distinguished Public Service Award for securing $2.1 million in Community Project Funding to launch its Circle of Care program.

The Circle of Care program, offered at MFHS Scranton and Hazleton sites, is the first maternity medical home in Pennsylvania and is designed to meet the need for expanded comprehensive prenatal, obstetric, postpartum and newborn care services.

The program, unveiled today at a grand opening celebration at MFHS new South Scranton location, is designed to provide enhanced wraparound services to address socioeconomic challenges, as well as parenting support and education.

The program aims to create a stable, safe and healthy environment for the expectant patient to successfully take care of themselves and their newborn. It includes pregnancy care, WIC nutrition support, dental services, onsite lab and pharmacy services, substance use disorder care management, and behavioral health, primary care and pediatric care services, all under one roof.

“The $2.1 million I secured for the Circle of Care program will ensure at-risk and low-income pregnant women have access to quality prenatal and postnatal care along with critical, wrap-around support services,” said Rep. Cartwright, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee. “This new program puts patients at the center of care and coordinates support services that help provide the strongest foundation for a healthy delivery and follow-up care for newborns.”

“We’d like to thank Congressman Cartwright for sharing our vision for the future of healthcare, and for advocating for Maternal and Family Health Services through the appropriations process,” said Maria Montoro Edwards, MFHS president and CEO. “His support has been the cornerstone of this project and we are so grateful.”

MFHS serves over 90,000 individuals in 17 Pennsylvania counties and is the largest provider of WIC nutrition services in the Commonwealth. This new Circle of Care clinic unites two former Scranton locations into one, larger centralized facility.