The Bridges Maternal Child Health Network (Bridges Network), funded by the Children and Families Commission of Orange County (Commission) through Proposition 10 tobacco tax revenue, is a multi-disciplinary system of providers that collaborate throughout Orange County to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women and young children 0-5 years of age. The Bridges Network was redesigned and rebranded in 2009. The aim was to restructure the program to operate as a network system of care; identify cost savings and reductions; find ways to streamline processes; and strengthen program management. All redesign recommendations were based on emerging best practices and evidence-based models of care.

A recently released evaluation brief of the Bridges Network indicates strong improvement in the areas of refocusing the distribution of the Kit for New Parents as well as an enhanced use of electronic technology for efficient and effective services.

With the Bridges Network redesign and focus on prenatal distribution, hospitals shifted distribution of the Kit for New Parents from all mothers who delivered a baby to include pregnant women and especially targeting mothers identified as at-risk. Prenatal distribution of the Kit has been an effective strategy for outreach and/or education by strengthening coordination, collaboration and communication among Bridges hospital staff and their interdepartmental colleagues and community partners.

Also, the Bridges Network converted to a paperless data system with the implementation of the Bridges Connect Data System, which leverages existing hospital data for risk screening and data collection with electronic referrals through wireless technology with real-time data sharing. Many programs within the Bridges Network reported that the introduction of electronic technology has made them more efficient in sending and tracking referrals, uploading electronic forms to case management, and reducing duplication of services.

As a result of the redesign, HASC entered into a subcontracted partnership with Orangewood Children’s Foundation, the designated Central Program Management agency contracted under one master agreement with the Commission. With the transition to a Central Program Management role, HASC has been effective in providing support, technical assistance, and leadership to Bridges Network hospitals.

Contact: Ana Reza

(714) 750-2685, areza@hasc.org