This study evaluates the effectiveness of an aligned service delivery and financing model designed to improve maternal and infant health by helping Medicaid-eligible persons receive access to healthy foods during pregnancy. The Nourishing Tomorrow (formerly Nourishing Beginnings) program uses integrated data, screening and referral systems combined with community health worker support to link people in need with healthy food delivery from a local food bank or with direct cash assistance for food purchases.

This study tests the effectiveness of multi-sector financing and delivery strategies in expanding the reach and impact of the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program across the U.S. Despite rigorous evidence of its ability to improve health and social outcomes for low-income pregnant women and their children, the NFP home visiting program currently reaches only a small proportion of the communities and families who could benefit from it.

American cities face stubbornly large racial disparities in infant mortality, preterm and low birthweight births along with unacceptable rates of maternal mortality. The Los Angeles Maternity Assessment Management Access and Service (MAMA) program is an innovative, multi-sector initiative that seeks to address the constellation of social factors that contribute to adverse maternal and infant outcomes, including housing instability, food insecurity, untreated mental health conditions, domestic violence, and substance abuse.