SWOSU Receives Federal Funding for Maternal Produce Prescription Program

Abagail Walker (left), SWOSU's director of Counseling and Health Services, will lead the Maternal Produce Prescription Program, and Kalie Kerth, director of the SWOSU Rural Health Center, will serve as the rural health program advisor.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has received federal funding to help women in western Oklahoma access healthy food during pregnancy and after childbirth. The four-year Maternal Produce Prescription Program will provide assistance purchasing fruits and vegetables, support from a registered dietitian and help finding health care and community resources.

SWOSU received a $499,465 first-year award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through its Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3). Anticipated federal support totals nearly $2 million over the four-year project, with $500,000 recommended for each of the following three years. Future-year funding is subject to the availability of federal funds and satisfactory project progress.

The program will serve pregnant and postpartum women in Beckham, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Roger Mills and Washita counties. Produce benefits and nutrition education will help women access nutritious foods and support their health during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Abagail Walker, SWOSU's director of Counseling and Health Services and the program's project director, said pregnancy and postpartum can already be challenging for women and families. Limited options for healthy food, transportation and health care in rural communities can make it harder to get the help they need. In addition to nutrition support, the program will help women connect with services based on their circumstances, including food assistance programs such as WIC and SNAP, prenatal care, breastfeeding support, behavioral health services and transportation.

Walker will lead the project with Dr. Kalie Kerth serving as the rural health program advisor. They will work with health care providers, county health departments, food access partners and other community organizations throughout the six counties. Details about eligibility and how to participate will be announced at a later date.

"This funding allows us to make healthy food and other resources easier to access for women and families in rural western Oklahoma," Walker said. "We want to meet women where they are, reduce some of the barriers they may be facing, and make sure they feel supported throughout pregnancy and postpartum."

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves more than 5,000 students and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit www.swosu.edu.