HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) – The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) along with James Madison University’s Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services (JMU-IHHS) and other community organizations announced the upcoming launch of the Central Shenandoah Maternal Prescription Program (CS-MP3) throughout the region beginning in 2027.

According to CSHD Communications Specialist Rachel Dumene, the CS-MP3 program is a regional maternal health initiative that seeks to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by integrating healthy food access and Community Health Worker (CHW) support into routine prenatal and postpartum care. Through provider-issued produce prescriptions, CHW support, nutrition education, and coordinated referrals to community resources, the program addresses food insecurity as a critical social determinant of maternal and infant health.

“A healthy pregnancy takes more than medical care. Mothers also need access to healthy foods and support throughout their pregnancy,” said Xavier Crockett, health director for CSHD. “This program addresses barriers to nutrition hand-in-hand with clinical care. That is exactly what this partnership is designed to do; bring healthcare and nutrition together to better support mothers and babies across our region.”

In Rockingham County, the percentage of mothers already utilizing the Women Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program was reportedly 22.5% in 2023. In the City of Harrisonburg, it was 34.9%. Both of these measures are above the state average of 18.1%.

“The CS-MP3 program reflects what can happen when healthcare providers, public health agencies and community organizations work together to address the factors that influence health beyond the doctor’s office,” said Linda Plitt Donaldson, director of the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services at James Madison University. “By improving access to nutritious foods and providing ongoing support during pregnancy and the postpartum period, we have an opportunity to improve outcomes for mothers and babies while strengthening the health of families across our region.”

Dr. Sharon Lovell, dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Studies, said, “Programs like CS-MP3 represent the very best of the College of Health and Behavioral Studies. This initiative brings together dedicated community partners around a shared goal of improving maternal and infant health, and it reflects our college’s deep commitment to community-engaged work that creates lasting impact beyond the university.”

The CS-MP3 model is a collaboration of healthcare providers, public health professionals, food distribution organizations, and CHWs, who will all be working together to get qualifying mothers enrolled in the program. Once enrolled, they will be given a produce prescription benefit valued at $60 per month throughout their pregnancy and for up to one year postpartum. CHWs will also provide nutrition education, care coordination, and referrals to other eligible programs as needed.

In its first year, the program will serve approximately 100 families. Starting in the second year, the program will serve approximately 210 families annually and provide produce prescriptions valued at $60 per month throughout pregnancy and up to one year postpartum.

To be eligible, participants must:

  • Be pregnant and ideally enrolled by 15 weeks gestation (participants can be enrolled after 15 weeks).
  • Participate in Medicaid, WIC, SNAP, or CHIP, or screen positive for food insecurity using a nutrition assessment.