WHAT IS AN EASY ACCESS CLINIC?
The Birth Place is home to the original Easy Access Prenatal Care Clinic and is located in Winter Garden, Florida. Since then three other satellite clinics have been established in Central Florida. All Easy Access clinics operate under The JJ Way®MCH healthcare system developed by midwife Jennie Joseph, LM, CPM
An Easy Access Prenatal Care Clinic provides:
- first trimester “access” to prenatal care and continuity of care, as well as postpartum services regardless of ability to pay*.
- an extended educational and social support service program- childbirth preparation, breastfeeding, parenting, nutrition, preconception and interconception education, abstinence education, counseling services, mentoring, support groups, and other social services. Additional services are available for the father of the baby as well.
* However, the clinic does accept most insurance including Medicaid and temporary Medicaid.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF AN EASY ACCESS CLINIC?
To increase the number of women who receive access to timely maternity health care
To provide practical, social, educational support, resources and referrals as a means to improving the chances for a positive pregnancy outcome.
This video shows a typical situation at the Easy Access Clinic and how lack of access to care impacts lives
WHY IS AN EASY ACCESS CLINIC NEEDED IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
The current ‘OB Crisis’ in Central Florida is due to the shortage of providers, resources and safety-net services and has compounded a situation which has been steadily spinning out of control.
Local health clinics are operating at capacity, making it difficult to get an appointment, or have closed down.
The continual barriers that pregnant women face are once again impacting their health and the health of their unborn babies thus increasing healthcare and educational costs.
The healthcare cost of caring for a preterm or low-birth weight infant in its first year of life is estimated to be about $51,600 versus a full-term infant at $2,830.00 (according to March of Dimes)
DOES The JJ Way® EASY ACCESS CLINIC REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
ABSOLUTELY! The JJ Way® Easy Access Clinic is proactive in its approach to care therefore it is cost effective in the long run.
A 2007 study conducted by the Winter Park Health Foundation and the Health Council of East Central Florida on 100 women receiving care revealed that there were no low birth weight or premature infants born to African American or Latina women who participated in the Easy Access program.
