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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Luis Al Rio Dey¹, Michelle Scarpulla, MPH², April Lyons, MSN², and Julia Donlen, RN, DNSc, JD³. (1) Planned Parenthood of Southern New Jersey, 317 Broadway, Camden, NJ 08103, 856-365-3519, luis.alriodey@ppsnj.org, (2) Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, 2500 McClellan Ave., Pennsauken, NJ 08109, (3) Southern NJ Perinatal Cooperative, 2500 McClellan Ave, 250, Pennsauken, NJ 08109

Camden Healthy Start has been providing in home case management and health education to pregnant, postpartum and interconceptional women in Camden City, NJ since 1997 with the goal of reducing the infant mortality rate and improving perinatal outcomes.

Beginning in 2001, a fatherhood initiative was added to the program. This component, entitled Fathers on Track, is a partnership between Camden Healthy Start and Planned Parenthood of Southern New Jersey. It began as a Case Management component, but in 2005 it was transitioned to a Health Education model to better meet the needs of men. The Fathers on Track Coordinator offers weekly educational groups in various locations around Camden City, including the local Planned Parenthood clinic, Camden City high schools, mental health agencies and employment agencies. Through a collaboration with probation and parole, young fathers are offered the opportunity to attend Fathers on Track sessions as a substitute for certain other workshops required of men on probation/parole.

The workshops offered include information on parenting, reproductive health care for men, as well as maternal issues such as preterm labor, nutrition, and employment. Participants are encouraged to take care of their own health, be responsible fathers, and to maintain a supportive relationship with their child's mother.

Learning Objectives: