12.7.17 - Senator Fred Akshar announces $10,000 in state funding for Mothers & Babies

BINGHAMTON, NY - Senator Fred Akshar joined representatives from Mother & Babies Perinatal Network of South Central New York, Inc. to announce $10,000 in state funding to help local families obtain health insurance and support the Network's mission to the ensure all newborns and families have a healthy successful life – right from the start.

Senator Fred Akshar said, “My goal as State Senator is to help create opportunities for members of our community be successful. Mothers & Babies does an excellent job assisting expecting mothers and their families across our community in order to provide local families and their newborn babies with a healthy start to their lives together.”

The $10,000 will be utilized in Mothers & Babies' Community Health Advocacy project, a statewide collaborative through which Mothers & Babies help individuals who have problems with their health insurance, denied health services or coverage, prescriptions, serious medical needs and more. CHA advocates help individuals understand their health insurance coverage and how to use it, we help them overcome barriers for getting the health care services they need, and much more.

Sharon Chesna, Executive Director of Mother & Babies Perinatal Network of SCNY, Inc., said, “Everyone here at Mothers & Babies is so grateful to Senator Akshar for his support of this program and interest in helping us help individuals and families with health insurance issues. This additional funding is helping us make sure we can address every family’s need for this assistance.”

Mothers & Babies serves individuals and families in Broome, Chenango, Chemung, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga and Tompkins counties.

In addition to assisting families with health insurance, Mothers & Babies other programs include Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Reproductive Health & Community Support and Education and Parent As Leaders (PAL) Family Resource Centers for new parents to find support, hone parenting skills and get connected to community resources.

Senator Fred Akshar said, “Better-equipped parents means stronger families, which helps set our community's children up for success. I'm proud to support Mothers & Babies as they help build stronger families throughout the 52nd Senate District and beyond.”

Funding was secured in the 2017-2018 State Budget and will be administered through the NYS Department of Health. 

For more information on services provided by Mothers & Babies, please visit MothersandBabies.org.