Outreach services are defined as those that focus holistically on social aspects of medical issues effecting target populations.  Our Case Management and Outreach Services (CMOS) Department provides free comprehensive case management and home visiting services by a registered nurse and outreach worker to Portsmouth families with children from birth to six years old, teens and prenatal women.  In an effort to provide community resources to our clients, we collaborate with several community agencies who share our mission. 

The program is comprised of three state and locally supported initiatives:  The Comprehensive Health Investment Project (CHIP) of Portsmouth, the Portsmouth Better Beginnings Coalition (PBBC) and the Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (TPPI).  The CHIP division provides outreach services to high-risk children and their families.  The PBBC and TPPI programs offer teenage abstinence-based pregnancy prevention and health education services.  Together these programs strive to reduce high-risk behaviors, hopeless impoverishment, unnecessary illnesses and emergency room visits, and rising teenage pregnancies. 

Comprehensive Health Investment Project (CHIP) Those who can participate in this program must live in Portsmouth and have a child/children from birth to 6 years old in their custody who are Medicaid or FAMIS eligible.  The goal of the program is to match a child and family with a medical home/primary care provider and to promote self-sufficiency.  Some referral sources include Portsmouth Community Health Center, Inc., Department of Social Services, CHKD, Early Intervention Program (DAC), Health Department, WIC, community members and individuals. 

The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (TPPI) provides comprehensive community based services to reduce teen pregnancy rates in Portsmouth.  Those eligible for Portsmouth Community Health Center, Inc. TPPI Outreach efforts are youth/adolescents living in Portsmouth identified as being high risk for teen pregnancy.  Some referral sources are Portsmouth Community Health Center, Inc., the Department of Social Services, schools, community agencies and individuals.  The goal of the program is to prevent and reduce the prevalence of teen pregnancy in Portsmouth. 

The Teen Outrech Program (TOP) provides case management for referred adolescents on an ongoing basis to educate, support and advocate on issues relating to the prevention of teen pregnancy (including issues relating to school, family, job training, self-esteem, peer pressure, etc.) TOP is nationally recognized as one of a handful of models proven effective in promoting growth and development of youth partcipating in the program.

The Education Program implements a 16-hour, nationally recognized curriculum entitled BART (Becoming a Responsible Teen) to targeted Portsmouth youth (12-18 yrs.), focusing on teen pregnancy prevention through a comprehensive perspective.  Sessions also include the administration of “Baby Think It Over” (BTIO), an infant simulator program for participants.  Sessions are implemented in some area middle schools, public housing recreation centers, churches and at Portsmouth Community Health Center, Inc.

The Portsmouth Better Beginning Coalition (PBBC) is a local coalition that serves as an advisory group for the TPPI and works on projects relating to increasing community awareness on the issue of teen pregnancy prevention.