ConnectRx Wisconsin supports black pregnant and birthing patients in Dane County. ConnectRx links patients with community health workers and doulas. These team members offer care, help, and guidance. The program helps patients find services, get care, and feel supported. The goal is to improve birth outcomes and overall health.
Screening Process
All pregnant patients at UW Health and partner clinics are screened as part of their regular care. This screening helps see if a patient qualifies for the ConnectRx program. Not all patients will qualify. Even so, all patients are connected to services that best meet their needs.
To qualify for the ConnectRx program, patients must:
Identify as African American/Black
Have a positive pregnancy test
Screen positive for one or more of the five Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) domains
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
We use a short screening (Social Determinants of Health screening) to learn more about your needs. This helps us know if ConnectRx is a good fit for you.
This screening looks at five key areas that can affect health:
Housing
Financial assistance
Food access
Transportation
Stress
High risk means you screened positive in one or more of these areas.
Housing
Financial assistance
Food access
Transportation
Stress
The Role of the Community Health Worker (CHW)
A community health worker, or CHW, is part of your care team. They help support you during pregnancy and after birth.
Your CHW can help you find:
Housing support
Food support
Rides to health care appointments
Job and work support
Help with money concerns
CHWs also offer support, listen to your concerns, and speak up for you. They help you reach your goals for a healthy pregnancy and life after birth.
Program Goal
The goal of ConnectRx is to improve the health of you and your baby by helping connect you with helpful services and resources.
You may get help with housing, food, travel, money concerns, and other needs that affect your pregnancy and health.
Support is based on your needs and may last through your baby’s first year of life. If you choose, you may also work with a doula for added support during pregnancy, birth, and after birth.
Program Partners
Access Community Health Centers
Group Health Cooperative – South Central Wisconsin
SSM St. Mary’s
Madison Metropolitan School District
Public Health Madison Dane County
United Way of Dane County
UnityPoint Health –Meriter
UW Health
For More Information
To find out more about this program, please contact:
Kym Ashford
Kashford@uwhealth.org
608-225-8227
Ariel Robbins
arobbins@uwhealth.org
608-890-8412