New Health Center to Serve Low-Income Mothers, Children

Reaching out to low-income mothers in downtown Long Beach, the city’s health department has opened a new center aimed at improving the health of the city’s poorest children.

Located on the campus of St. Mary Medical Center, the center provides free food and counseling to new and expectant mothers who meet the program’s federal income criteria.

The center is the fourth Long Beach site to serve the Women, Infants and Children program, a federal effort established more than 20 years ago with the goal of reducing pregnancy complications, promoting good nutrition and teaching parenting classes to low-income families.

A dozen staff members moved into the site last month, where they hand out food and advise patients individually or in groups. As part of the curriculum, patients who are either pregnant, breast-feeding or have children under 5 can receive classes ranging from prenatal care and immunizations to substance abuse and infant care.

Ron Arias, manager of the city’s Public Health Bureau, said the city found it necessary to open a new center in response to a steady increase in the number of families served by the program.

The city’s other three centers are now serving an average of 30,000 families per month, he said, compared with about 26,000 per month last year.

It is estimated that an additional 10,000 needy clients per month have yet to enroll in the program, Arias said. However, he said, some of them may have to wait until the city receives an increase in state and federal funds, now set at $2.8 million a year.

Arias said the program saves money, in addition to improving children’s health. He said studies have shown that every dollar invested in such programs saves $3.25 in hospital costs later.

The new center is at 1043 Elm St., Suite 401. Information: (562) 570-4242.