About Us
Our Story
Addressing maternal and child health disparities is one of the most significant and challenging issues of the day. The United States fares the worst in maternal and child morbidity and mortality compared to every other high-income country. In the wealthiest county in the state, 1 in 4 residents in Chester County are struggling to make ends meet and access the resources that they need to stay healthy, the hardest hit being families with children.
Maternal and Child Health Consortium (MCHC) was created in 1991 by representatives from the Chester County Health Department, March of Dimes of Southeastern PA, League of Women Voters, and Planned Parenthood of Chester County on the belief that everyone should have access to high-quality health care.
In 1995, we started providing prenatal case management for low-income pregnant and parenting people and their babies. In 1997, with funding from the federal Healthy Start program, we became one of 100 Healthy Start programs in the country. Our Family Benefits Program was soon introduced to help uninsured familes enroll into state subsidized health insurance and in 2010 added SNAP and other public benefits programs. In 2006, we launched the Family Center Program to address a gap in school readiness among low-income families with children in southern Chester County.
We serve upwards of 5,000 people every year across all programs. We have risen as a leading maternal and child health service provider in the Chester County social safety net, with our work even having been cited in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Today, MCHC has an operating budget of over $2 million through public and private partnerships and strong community support.
Our Impact
Our Locations
West Chester
30 West Barnard Street, Suite 1
West Chester, PA 19382
Coatesville
1001 East Lincoln Highway Suite 104
Coatesville, PA 19320
Landenberg
385 Starr Road, Suite 204
Landenberg, PA 19350
Our Mission
To advocate for and empower prenatal and parenting families to achieve healthy beginnings and a bright future through a caring culture of service.
Our Vision
A community supporting all families with children in having equitable access and opportunity to ensure that they start healthy, stay healthy, and succeed in school.
Our Values
Reliability. We are sincere and trustworthy. We are true to our values and conduct ourselves according to our professional principles. Our philosophy directs our daily work and relations with other.
Empowerment. We partner with families and recognize their strengths and practices. We cultivate meaningful relationships that reflect trust, respect, and responsiveness to each family. We provide guidance so that program participants can achieve their goals.
Advancement. We are innovative and forward thinking; we are open to new possibilities and to the discovery of new approaches to achieving organizational goals as we advance our mission.
Achievement. We believe that personal growth is related to the success of MCHC. As a result, we are devoted to nurturing an environment where staff members can excel in their jobs and feel confident and open when working with families while strengthening and encouraging program participants and their family members.
Inclusion. we respect and value the diversity of different cultures; we promote equity, inclusiveness and cultural responsiveness.