MATERNAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT HEALTH OUTREACH (MCAHO) PROGRAM 

Promoting Healthy Beginnings & Healthy Lives  

The Pasadena Public Health Department Maternal Child and Adolescent Health Outreach (MCHAO) Program helps to improve access to quality and comprehensive primary healthcare services for all women of reproductive age (including pregnant women), infants, children, adolescents, and their families.  Our staff works with community organizations and medical providers to improve access to prenatal, medical, and dental care for low-income families.   

The MCAHO program provides education on programs and resources available to individuals and the community, and provides direct assistance to individuals needing information on prenatal care and health insurance for children and adolescents. Our services include the following: 

• Provide education and materials to individuals and community providers to decrease exposure to tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs during pregnancy, SIDS, health education, and local resources. 
• Promote early and continuous prenatal care. 
• Participate in healthcare planning and resource development with community agencies which will improve access to quality healthcare for pregnant and parenting uninsured women and their families, including infants, children, and adolescents. 
• Provide case finding and coordination to at-risk women of childbearing age. 
• Assist women in obtaining Medi-Cal. 
• Maintain a toll-free information services line to connect women and their families with available healthcare services. 
• Provide individuals and community agencies with resources for substance abuse and smoking cessation programs, which serve pregnant women and parenting families. 
• Advocate for pregnant women at the state and local levels to assist in obtaining continuous prenatal care and other services that promote healthy women, healthy birth outcomes, children, and adolescents.  We host campaigns for a broad range of issues including domestic violence, tobacco control, substance abuse, preventable injuries, childhood obesity, teenage pregnancy, infant mortality, breastfeeding promotion, and preconception health. 

Pasadena Healthy Women and Families Coalition 

Agencies and individual professionals working with low-income women of reproductive age, infants, children, and adolescents are invited to participate in the Pasadena Healthy Women and Families Coalition.  Through policy, planning, and collaborative efforts, we strive to achieve optimal health and well-being for our community.