HR 1728: Haven House; critical service to pregnant women and young mothers in the State of Georgia; recognize

House Resolution 1728

By: Representatives Cannon of the 58th, Hugley of the 141st, Efstration of the 104th, Donatucci of the 105th, Park of the 107th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing Haven House for its critical service to pregnant women and young mothers in the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, access to safe housing, nutritious food, prenatal care, and a stable, supportive environment are widely recognized by public health experts as essential factors for healthy pregnancy outcomes and maternal survival; and

WHEREAS, extensive research demonstrates that housing instability during pregnancy is associated with significantly higher rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and delivery complications; and

WHEREAS, access to healthy food and basic necessities during pregnancy is a critical determinant of maternal and infant health, and federal nutrition programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) play an important role in reducing food insecurity and improving health outcomes for mothers and infants; and

WHEREAS, access to health coverage through Georgia Medicaid ensures pregnant women receive essential prenatal care, screenings, and treatment that can prevent complications and support healthy births; and

WHEREAS, Haven House, a maternity supportive housing residence serving women across Georgia, works directly with residents to ensure they receive critical public benefits, with 100 percent of both current and former residents successfully enrolled in Family Medicaid, WIC, and SNAP, and staff actively assisting residents with applications for the Childcare and Parent Services Program (CAPS) to support long-term stability and workforce participation; and

WHEREAS, Haven House serves a uniquely vulnerable population, with 90 percent of residents having previously experienced foster care, approximately 80 percent having aged out of the foster care system, and 90 percent of residents having survived human trafficking, making the availability of safe, trauma-informed housing especially vital; and

WHEREAS, Haven House is among the only maternity supportive housing residences in Georgia willing to accept women facing complex or urgent circumstances, including women in their third trimester, women experiencing pregnancy complications, women with learning disabilities or special needs, women who may not yet have stable transportation or employment, and women who have not previously been enrolled in Medicaid prior to entering the program; and

WHEREAS, maternal health data shows that the percentage of births with late or no prenatal care increased nationally from 6.3 percent in 2021 to 7.3 percent in 2024, while Georgia experienced a significantly higher rise from 7.9 percent to 11.4 percent, underscoring the need for community-based solutions that ensure early and consistent care; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Georgia Maternal Mortality Review Committee report that maternal deaths in Georgia continue to rise and that 87 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in the state are considered preventable, often linked to social factors such as housing instability, food insecurity, delayed medical care, and chronic stress; and

WHEREAS, Haven House utilizes the evidence-based Trust-Based Relational Intervention

(TBRI) model to provide trauma-informed care, with two certified TBRI practitioners on staff, including a Licensed Master Social Worker who provides in-house counseling and skill-building support for residents; and

WHEREAS, organizations such as Haven House address these critical social determinants of health by providing safe housing, access to nutritious food, trauma-informed care, and assistance navigating essential public programs that improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend Haven House for its extraordinary service to pregnant women and young mothers in Georgia and for its commitment to improving maternal and infant health outcomes through compassionate care, stable housing, and connection to vital public resources.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Haven House.