This toolbox is an online resource for Maternal and Child Health researchers, academics, practitioners, policy advocates, and others in the field to share information, innovative strategies, and tools to integrate the Life Course Perspective into MCH work at the local, state, and national levels. Includes resources and tools to learn about the Life Course Perspective and strategies to incorporate the Life Course model into practice and policy.
Benchmark: Usual Source of Care
Increase proportion of Healthy Start women and child participants who have a usual source of medical care 80%.
“Usual source of care” refers to a place an individual or family usually goes to when sick, such as such as a doctor’s office, clinic or health center but not an emergency room. Having a usual source of medical care has been shown to increase quality of care, boost access to preventive services, improve health outcomes, and reduce overall health care costs.
A Performance Measure Resource Sheet is available summarizing recommended strategies and a selection of resources and evidence-based practices related to this benchmark to aid Healthy Start grantee organizations, partners and their staff in supporting the women and families they serve.