For a single mother expecting her second child, knowing how to best prepare for all the changes that come along with a new baby isn’t easy. And that’s exactly the position Tara found herself in earlier this year. Thankfully, she found help.

Ash Martinez’s work with HopeSparks, a Pierce County area behavioral health care and family services provider, includes her role as a community care coordinator for Elevate Health’s Pathways Community HUB (Pathways). Ash was able to meet with Tara twice a month to help her through her pregnancy and actively maneuver through obstacles that prevented Tara from creating a healthy life for both herself and her new baby girl.

The Pathways Community HUB program identifies 20 different and core pathways to help Pierce County residents avoid risk factors that could be detrimental to their health and supports clients journey through the pathways they select and focus on. These 20 pathways include adult education, family planning, health insurance, housing, immunizations, social service referral, among others that contribute to achieving whole-person health. For Tara, the pathways were tailored to her pregnancy but nevertheless focused on her overall health, not just prenatal care.

By the time Tara gave birth to a healthy girl, she and Ash had established a close bond, which helped Tara transition to other the pathways. At first, though — after her DSHS case officer directed her to Pathways — she was hesitant and unsure how the program would work. Tara was already struggling as a single mother when she learned she’d be expecting a second child. She knew the challenges ahead were significant, and was able to establish trust and rapport with Ash in order to embrace how the Pathways Community HUB could help.

“Don’t get me wrong, being a single mother is hard, but having Ash on my side was a stress reliever,” saidTara. “When it comes to my kids and when it comes to my baby, I can talk to Ash.”

Through their meetings, Ash was able to remind Tara of her doctor appointments and other obligations, like deadlines for child care, while the two worked hard to find Tara safe and stable housing before her baby arrived. Ash also helped Tara learn about the resources available to her in Pierce County she hadn't been made aware of, including food banks that supplied diapers and a furniture bank to furnish her new home. They were also able to connect Tara with a therapist who fit her specific needs and schedule.

“It’s important for them to know that I’m here and that I care. This isn’t just a job for me,” said Ash.

When Tara showed signs of swelling during the pregnancy, Ash helped Tara learn about the risks surrounding pre-term labor, so she’d could successfully navigate the issues that could arise. Thankfully, Tara remained healthy throughout the pregnancy.

“We’re proud to say that she didn’t deliver early and had a healthy baby,” added Ash.

When Tara told Ash that the stress of the pregnancy and life in general was causing her to be frequently angry, they worked through ways she could manage her emotions and reactions. Ash shared relaxation tips that proved effective for Tara, like taking a walk or reading a book to her young child.

Tara recommended Elevate Health’s Pathways Community HUB to a number of friends and family members, and advocated Pathways was for anyone in need of support. For Tara, Pathways is a support system and guidance for a healthier lifestyle.

“I am not just a client. I am more than a client. This program is a family. This program is for women like me and it is only going to help if you let it help you,” Tara concluded.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the Pathways Community HUB, email pathways@elevatehealth.org.

Tara's Story: How the Pathways Community HUB Improved Her Life