Mechanicsburg, PA –Today, First Lady Lori Shapiro and Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh visited the Healthy Steps Diaper Bank to learn about the organization’s work to help mothers and children in the South Central Pennsylvania area and highlight the Shapiro Administration’s ongoing efforts to improve maternal health and care for mothers and children.
The Shapiro Administration is committed to working to reduce maternal mortality disparities that particularly impact women and children of color and increasing access to feminine hygiene products. Established, trusted community organizations like Healthy Steps are important partners in this work. Since taking office, Governor Josh Shapiro has prioritized addressing maternal health disparities in access to quality health care and secured a $2.6 million increase in the 2024-25 budget for maternal mortality prevention, managed through the Department of Health. In addition, this year’s budget included $3 million to provide free period products in all Pennsylvania schools for students.
“Josh and I know that healthy moms raise healthy babies, which is why I was excited to volunteer today at Healthy Steps Diaper Bank. Diaper banks, like Healthy Steps, are a critical resource for women and children in our Commonwealth,” said the First Lady. “Not only do they provide diapers, but they also provide menstrual products and postpartum packets for families in need. Access to basic hygiene necessities like diapers and menstrual products are crucial for creating healthier outcomes for families.”
“Infant health, maternal health and the health of a family are all dependent on the quality of care available to them and their access to essential resources necessary to good health and, when challenges accessing those resources exist, services that can bridge the gap when in need,” said Secretary Arkoosh. “We must do more to address quality of life issues for women and families in Pennsylvania, and I am excited to be here with First Lady Shapiro at Healthy Steps Diaper Bank to see their work to reduce maternal health disparities in action.”
In August, DHS started work on a maternal health strategic plan that will include priorities centering on equity and diversity, with a focus on increasing access to high-quality care, expanding and diversifying the maternal health care workforce, and addressing behavioral health and substance use disorder services and supports.
DHS recently convened subject matter experts from the Shapiro Administration’s health agencies, representatives from the Governor’s Affinity Commissions, and leadership from other state agencies to represent the unique needs of all Pennsylvanians with respect to maternal health and to develop collaborative, actionable strategies for the maternal health strategic plan.
Development of the plan includes an upcoming online survey and community outreach to help gather input from Pennsylvanians with lived experience in maternal health, which will be released in the near future. Information collected will help inform and expand the planned strategies to improve maternal health outcomes across the state.
Earlier this year, DHS expanded access to doulas for Medicaid recipients by allowing doulas to enroll as Medicaid providers directly. Doula services have been found to ease the pregnancy and labor process and improve birth outcomes for both mother and child. This change allows certified doulas to enroll as Medicaid providers and enables Medicaid managed care organizations to enter into network agreements with them, allowing them to bill directly for services offered through pregnancy and postpartum.
Healthy Steps Diaper Bank empowers families and individuals throughout South Central PA to thrive by providing a reliable and adequate source of diapers and feminine hygiene products. The organization has worked tirelessly to end diaper need in the area since 2013 and expanded in 2021 to include fighting period poverty. On average, Health Steps distributes 52,000 diapers to 1,040 children and 6,200 period products to 275 women and girls every month.
"We believe that everyone in our community deserves to be clean, dry, and healthy. Yet, the harsh reality is that one in two families struggle to buy diapers and two in five people struggle to buy period products. These numbers are heartbreaking, and the effects ripple out through our society,” said Amanda Barnes, Executive Director for Healthy Steps Diaper Bank.
More information on maternal-child health programs available across Pennsylvania is available on DHS’ website.
