Maternal Produce Prescription Program - The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Rural Health Center proposes to implement the Maternal Food is Medicine Initiative, a comprehensive, evidence-informed program designed to improve maternal nutrition, reduce food insecurity, and improve maternal and infant health outcomes among low-income and underserved pregnant and postpartum women residing in Beckham, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Roger Mills, and Washita counties in rural western Oklahoma. The proposed service area experiences significant barriers to healthy food access, maternal healthcare, transportation, and supportive services, contributing to poor nutrition and adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. The initiative will address these challenges through an integrated care model that combines Produce Prescription Benefits with individualized nutrition counseling, care coordination, resource navigation, and strong partnerships among healthcare providers, public health agencies, community organizations, and regional food system partners. Eligible participants will be identified through a No Wrong Door Referral Model that includes healthcare providers, county health departments, WIC clinics, the Pregnancy Resource Center, hospitals, behavioral health providers, and other community partners. Following enrollment, participants will complete the SWOSU Maternal Nutrition Risk Assessment (MNRA) to evaluate food insecurity, nutritional risk, and social determinants of health. Assessment findings will guide development of an Individualized Maternal Nutrition Care Plan, referral to a Registered Dietitian, and assignment of Produce Prescription Benefits tailored to participant needs. A full-time Project Manager will provide ongoing care coordination, participant follow-up, and resource navigation, connecting participants with services including WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, transportation assistance, breastfeeding support, behavioral health services, and other community resources. A full-time Registered Dietitian will provide comprehensive nutrition assessments, individualized nutrition counseling, evidence-informed nutrition education, and clinical oversight of nutrition interventions. Together, these services are designed to support sustained behavior change, increase healthy food consumption, strengthen participant engagement, and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. The project will use the RE-AIM evaluation framework to monitor implementation and participant outcomes, including food security, fruit and vegetable consumption, Produce Prescription Benefit utilization, participant engagement, maternal health indicators, birth outcomes, and participant satisfaction. Continuous Quality Improvement activities will guide program refinement throughout the project period. The Maternal Food is Medicine Initiative is designed to become an integrated component of the SWOSU Rural Health Center's maternal healthcare services through strong regional partnerships, evidence-informed care coordination, and diversified sustainability planning. The project will establish a scalable and replicable rural Food is Medicine model that strengthens access to nutritious foods, improves maternal nutrition, and advances maternal and infant health throughout western Oklahoma.
