Healthy Options for Pregnancy and Parenting Enrichment (HOPE)
SEAMAAC’s HOPE Program facilitates access to prenatal, postpartum and infant health care for culturally
and linguistically isolated Southeast Asian and West African women and infants and provides support to
immigrant/refugee families during pregnancy and after birth. Our program
targets low-income pregnant women who are at risk for pregnancy complications and/or poor child health
outcomes due to lack of health insurance, language/cultural barriers that prevent access to health care
and/or high-risk pregnancy. We currently serve ethnic Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese and West African
families. SEAMAAC’s bi/multilingual and bicultural outreach workers provide accompaniment, interpretation,
education, and case management services to participating clients/families. We help pregnant women obtain
prenatal care and we ensure that infants receive regular well-baby care and immunizations. In addition
to assistance at medical and other appointments as needed, each client/family receives two home visits
per month. We provide clients with education and information on a variety of topics (including nutrition,
breastfeeding, healthy pregnancy, child safety, parenting, emotional health, and resources) and conduct
regular home safety assessments. We aim to remove some of the barriers that limit our clients’ access to
health care by helping them to improve their English skills (by referring them to classes and encouraging
them to attend our weekly Drop-In Center); develop knowledge regarding local health care resources; acquire
health information in their own languages; and develop confidence navigating the City’s public transit
system. We also support the families’ health and well-being more generally by providing case management
to address a wide range of needs, including housing, child care, cribs and child seats, WIC, Medical
Assistance and CHIP.
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Lead Poisoning Prevention (LPP)
As part of the City of Philadelphia’s “Lead Safe Communities” Program, SEAMAAC has conducted lead testing and lead poisoning prevention education among Southeast Asian and West African communities since 2004. Significant numbers of Southeast Asian and West African refugees and immigrants are concentrated in areas of Philadelphia where their children face a high risk of lead poisoning. Due to language/cultural barriers and lack of information, many refugees and immigrants are unaware of the dangers of lead poisoning. SEAMAAC outreach workers visit homes to conduct lead dust wipe testing and to educate families about lead poisoning prevention as well as other important health and safety issues affecting children in the home. We currently serve ethnic Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese and West African families. Clients receive free cleaning supplies and instructions on how to reduce lead dust levels in the home. Outreach workers also ensured that all children under six receive a blood test to monitor lead levels. Participating families receive case management services to help them to access other resources as needed, including health insurance and nutritional programs. In addition to working with individual families, SEAMAAC staff provide regular workshops on lead poisoning at various community locations and conduct outreach at health fairs and other community events
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Drop-In Center
Since November 2008, SEAMAAC has hosted a weekly “Drop-In Center” or “Women’s Group” for Southeast Asian women. Funded by the Patricia Kind Family Foundation, the Drop-In Center offers Southeast Asian women a regular program of exercise (yoga), social/cultural activities (such as knitting and origami), and workshops on health and other topics while children participate in play and learning activities. Drinks and snacks are provided, often prepared by participants themselves. The Drop-In Center is held at SEAMAAC’s main offices at 1711 S. Broad Street on Wednesdays between 12pm and 2pm. Drop-In Center participants identify topics they are interested in learning about through workshops. Workshop topics have included: obtaining health insurance, dental care for infants/young children (including the provision of free dental checkups for children and adults), breastfeeding and newborn baby care, dealing with common childhood illnesses, accessing food stamps, computer training and job searching. Besides offering important information on health and other topics, the Drop-In Center is a place where women and children can make friends, practice their English, socialize and learn new skills
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