Across rural Central Texas, access to maternal health care is becoming increasingly limited, leaving many women without timely, quality care during pregnancy and childbirth. Community Health Centers of South Central Texas (CHCSCT) has received a grant through St. David’s Foundation’s Healthy Births, Healthy Communities Rural Funding Opportunity to help address these growing gaps in care in Caldwell and surrounding rural counties.
As part of a $4.6 million investment awarded to nine organizations across rural Central Texas, CHCSCT will expand maternal health services at our Luling Community Health Center and Lockhart Family Practice Center. The initiative supports culturally responsive, community-informed perinatal care focused on improving maternal health outcomes and strengthening access to care in communities identified as high-need maternal care areas.
Moms Deserve Care Close to Home
CHCSCT will enhance services in Luling and expand care in Lockhart to include prenatal care, routine in-house ultrasounds, postpartum checkups, and strengthened referral coordination to ensure mothers receive comprehensive and accessible care before, during, and after pregnancy.
According to Texas Department of State Health Services data, only 64.3% of mothers in Texas receive prenatal care during the first trimester. In Caldwell County, 31.6% of mothers do not receive early prenatal care, while in Bastrop County, 27.2% of mothers begin care later than recommended. Nearly half of Texas counties are considered maternity care deserts, and disparities in maternal health outcomes disproportionately impact women of color.
CHCSCT’s maternal health initiative is intentionally rooted in community needs. Many patients face barriers including transportation challenges, language differences, lack of insurance, and limited awareness of available services. By expanding care into Lockhart, CHCSCT is helping reduce travel burdens while improving continuity and timeliness of care for rural families.
Meet Patrick Caldwell, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
At the center of this work is Nurse Patrick, a trusted provider with more than two decades of obstetric care experience and over 31 years of service within CHCSCT. Her passion for maternal health was shaped by growing up in a rural community where women often lacked access to prenatal care and women’s health services.
“When a mother gets the care she needs, her whole family is stronger,” said Rafael De La Paz, CEO of CHCSCT. “This award allows us to expand access to the kind of care every woman deserves — right here in her community.”
The maternal care team will include dedicated nurses, medical assistants, site coordinators, and customer service representatives working together to provide culturally responsive, patient-centered support. In addition to prenatal and postpartum care, patients will have access to wraparound services including WIC referrals, behavioral health support, bilingual assistance, nutrition education, and community partnerships designed to support the full needs of mothers and families.
“Healthy women are the cornerstone of healthy families, communities, and economies,” said Andrew Levack, Senior Program Officer with St. David’s Foundation. “Building the capacity of community-based organizations—particularly in rural areas—is essential to helping mothers and babies thrive.”
The initiative reflects CHCSCT’s long-standing commitment to advancing health equity and improving maternal outcomes for underserved populations across rural Central Texas. By integrating clinical care with community-based support systems, CHCSCT aims to improve birth outcomes, strengthen family support networks, and expand access to compassionate, high-quality maternal care.
The Journey to a Healthy Pregnancy Starts Here
Whether you are planning to grow your family, recently found out you are pregnant, or are looking for supportive postpartum care, CHCSCT is here to walk alongside you every step of the way, regardless of your insurance status or ability to pay. Let us provide you with the high-quality, local care you and your baby deserve! Learn more about our women’s health services or call us at 1-800-343-1577 to schedule your appointment..
About St. David’s Foundation
St. David’s Foundation is one of the largest health foundations in the United States, investing more than $100 million annually across a five-county region in Central Texas. Through a unique partnership with St. David’s HealthCare, hospital system proceeds are reinvested into the community to advance health equity and improve health outcomes—particularly for those experiencing the greatest health needs.
