Research to Practice

The Central Administration team convened an Early Prenatal Enrollment workgroup to examine the HFNY screening and assessment process. The workgroup examined program data on screens and assessments and surveyed staff to discuss their enrollment practices. Based on this information, the workgroup made the following recommendations to increase the enrollment of families early in pregnancy: (1) simplify the screening form, (2) focus the target population, and (3) develop supporting materials to engage community stakeholders.

A pilot project was developed to assess the effectiveness of implementing the recommendations proposed by the workgroup. Five HFNY program sites were selected to implement a new screening form, analyze their enrollment processes, and communicate with community agencies about the benefits of early enrollment. HFNY program staff and community referral partners found the new screen form easier to use. Program sites also increased their efforts to engage with community partners to obtain prenatal referrals. As a result, most of the pilot programs saw an increase in the number of families who were screened and enrolled prenatally. The new screen form was subsequently implemented statewide.

Following the statewide roll out of the new screen form, a study examining prenatal screening, assessment, and enrollment was conducted with six program sites. These sites were provided with technical assistance to discuss difficulties with prenatal enrollment and to develop strategies to overcome any challenges. Subsequently, three sites increased prenatal screens, and four sites increased prenatal enrollments. Findings suggested that developing good working relationships with community partners providing prenatal care, especially WIC programs, was important for increasing prenatal screens.