The Indiana State Department of Health’s MOMS Helpline has received more than 5,000 calls in the past year as it works to connect Hoosiers with maternal and child health services and help reduce Indiana’s infant mortality rate.
The MOMS Helpline, a service of the Maternal and Child Health division at the state health department, launched March 1, 2016, as a replacement for the Indiana Family Helpline. Its mission is to help reduce the infant mortality rate in Indiana by providing families with access to resources focused on improving the health of mothers and their children. Services include referrals for dental care and transportation to medical appointments, assistance with food and clothing needs, health insurance enrollment and education about child safety.
“Healthcare is critical for expectant moms,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “By helping with transportation and nutrition and connecting women to services before, during and after pregnancy, the MOMS Helpline is promoting a healthier lifestyle that helps both moms and babies.”
The MOMS Helpline partners with the 211 Connect-to-Helpline, which provides information and referral services to Hoosiers in all 92 counties. Calls to 211 that are specific to maternal and child health are transferred to the MOMS Helpline.
As of Feb. 1, the MOMS Helpline had connected 5,200 callers to maternal and child health services. Staff members also have conducted outreach to educate Hoosiers about risk factors for infant mortality, such as unsafe sleep practices, tobacco use and lack of prenatal care.
To learn more about the MOMS Helpline, visit http://www.MomsHelpLine.isdh.in.gov, call 1-844-MCH-MOMS (1-844-624-6667) or emailMCHMOMSHelpline@isdh.in.gov.
Visit the Indiana State Department of Health at www.StateHealth.in.gov for important health and safety information, or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/isdh1.
