Category: Austin Resources

Prenatal Legal Checkup & Videos

The People’s Community Clinic Medical-Legal Partnership created a legal checkup to help pregnant people in Texas. Watch the videos to help understand common legal needs while pregnant.

What is a legal checkup?

A legal checkup is a tool that can be used by people during all stages of life to figure out:

  • What legal needs they may have
  • What legal issues they can prevent

What is a prenatal legal checkup?

The Medical-Legal Partnership’s prenatal legal checkup is designed to start conversations about health-harming legal needs during pregnancy. Each video covers a different issue, including health insurance, food security, domestic violence, employment, housing, healthcare decisions, parental rights, and breastfeeding. The goal is to help expecting parents to take their health into their own hands.

Why is a prenatal legal checkup important?

  • Every year, 1.7 million people in the U.S. get sick or die simply from getting pregnant.
  • Many illnesses and deaths are due to where we live, grow, work, play, worship, and age. These are called “social determinants of health,” and they matter a lot in staying healthy.
  • Social determinants of health are shaped by legal requirements and restrictions. Having a lawyer can help you know your rights and live a healthier a life.

What if I think I may need legal help after watching the prenatal legal checkup videos?

Find help at TexasLawHelp’s legal help directory.

A note for providers about our prenatal legal checkup video series:

When we added a popular model of group prenatal care, we realized a lot of questions were asked that our traditional healthcare team did not have the structural expertise to fully answer. So we added a medical-legal partnership (MLP) lawyer to our facilitating care team. Like our other MLP attorneys, the prenatal care lawyer is embedded onsite to help address health-harming legal needs. Our MLP model also includes integrating the legal team’s structural expertise into every part of the delivery of healthcare, and so the prenatal care lawyer helped our clinicians and educators plan a curriculum for whole-person care throughout pregnancy. Our MLP lawyers also attend group medical visits, giving patients real-time access to integrated legal expertise. Patients reported reduced stress and increased legal literacy, and our providers reported improved self-efficacy in providing whole-person care. To help assure sustainability, we turned our live sessions into this video series, and we created this website to share our work with you.

Health Insurance

Watch this video to learn more about how to cover the cost of prenatal healthcare. Related topics include:

Public benefits and food security

Watch this video to learn more about what benefits may be available to help your family get nutritious food. Such benefits may include:

Employment

  • Watch this video to learn more about what rights pregnant persons have in the workplace. Learn more at Pregnancy and the workplace.

Domestic violence

Watch this video about Protective Orders to learn more about how to stay safe from domestic violence.

Housing

Watch this video to learn more about housing rights. Related material on TexasLawHelp.org includes:

Medical decision-making

  • Watch this video about medical Decision-making to learn more about how you can control or share your right to make medical decisions during pregnancy, especially if you face a serious pregnancy complication.

Parental Rights: Part One

Watch this video to learn more about parental rights, such as visitation and who gets to make decisions about the child. Topics include:

Parental Rights: Part Two

Watch this video to learn more about parental rights, such as safe visits when one parent has been abusive or is a danger to the child.

Breastfeeding

Early childhood issues

Watch this video to learn about government benefits that can help you get your child extra help in the community and at school, such as SSI. Related topics include:

What You Should Know About Domestic Violence

It may begin gradually, in ways you don’t think of as abuse, like emotional or verbal attacks. It can start when you are pregnant or when the new baby is born. These things can cause the stress level in your home or relationship to change.

  • If you are a victim or survivor of abuse --

    • You are not to blame for another person’s violence.
    • You have the right to a safe healthy relationship.
    • You deserve to be treated with respect.
    • Make a safety plan in case you need to leave quickly.
    • Establish contacts with friends and family so you have a place to go in an emergency.
    • Consider getting a protective order to protect yourself

  • Reach out for support

    • You are not alone. Support and help are here. Visit SAFEaustin.org for assistance.
    • Call the Safe Place 24 hour help line: 512-267-7233
    • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
    • Austin Police Department Victim Services: 512-974-5037
    • Texas Department of Family and Protective Services: 1-800-252-5400
    • United Way Capitol Area: 211
    • Dial 911 in an emergency

What is abuse?

Emotional Abuse
  • constant criticism or making you feel bad
  • blame for things that aren’t your fault
  • constant jealousy
  • being lied to, punished, or threatened, especially if you try to leave
Isolation
  • you are prevented from seeing family or friends
  • your partner is very jealous of anyone else in your life
Threats
  • your partner threatens your family, friends, pets, or property
Economic Abuse
  • your control over money or income is threatened
Physical Abuse
  • pushing, slapping, kicking, biting, restraining, use of a weapon against you or having things thrown at you
  • any action you don’t want that causes you injury or pain
Sexual Abuse
  • you are forced to have sex
  • you are shamed or hurt without your permission
  • your partner refuses to practice birth control or safe sex
Property Destruction
  • frightening you by smashing or destroying things
  • damaging or stealing things that you value

Truths about abuse

No one deserves abuse.

Domestic violence is not mutual. It is not just an argument or a lover’s quarrel.

People who stay in abusive relationships do not enjoy violence. Leaving is not simple. Some people are too frightened. Some hope the abuse will stop. Many people do not know about resources or have the information they need.

Abuse can be found in all parts of the community. No one group is free from domestic violence. People from any social group can be abused.

There is no excuse for violent behavior. Using violence is a choice. There are always other ways. Substance abuse, stress, illness, and childhood abuse are often used as excuses. But the abusive person is responsible for their actions.

Abuse and pregnancy

For 1 of every 3 women who are abused, the first abuse happens during pregnancy.

An unhealthy relationship is not just physically hurtful. Emotional, verbal and sexual abuse are dangerous to your well-being and the well-being of your unborn child.

Being abused before or during your pregnancy increases your risk of miscarriage, anemia, infections, bleeding during the first and second trimester, and having a low birth weight baby.

You are not alone. Support and help are here.

Guide to Helpful Programs & Services

  • Medicaid

    Medicaid offers health care coverage for children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, people 65 and older, and some adults caring for children. It helps with bills for doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, and drugs ordered by a doctor (prescriptions). Children who get Medicaid will also be in the Texas Health Steps program.

  • Texas Health Steps

    Texas Health Steps is a health-care program for children, teens, and young adults ages 20 and younger who have Medicaid. It offers medical and dental checkups and many other health-care services.

Medicaid Monthly Income Eligibility

Call 2-1-1 or go to www.211texas.org for information about:

  • Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

    CHIP is for children ages 18 and younger. It is an Insurance program for families who earn too much money to get Medicaid, but cannot pay for private insurance.

  • CHIP Perinatal Coverage

    The CHIP perinatal coverage offers prenatal care to pregnant women who cannot get Medicaid and do not have other health coverage. Benefits may include up to 20 prenatal visits; drugs ordered by a doctor; costs of giving birth; 2 doctor visits for the mom after the baby is born; and regular checkups, vaccines and drugs ordered by a doctor for the baby.

  • Newborn Screening

    All babies born in Texas must be screened for 29 medical disorders. Two tests are done using drops of blood from the baby’s heel. Tests are done 1 to 2 days after birth and again at 7 to 14 days after birth. Early detection and treatment can prevent serious health problems.

  • Child Support Enforcement Services

    The Office of the Attorney General helps families establish a child’s legal father, set child support, collect child support payments, find absent parents, and offers services to help parents work together to meet their children’s physical and emotional needs.

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps

    SNAP helps families buy food. SNAP benefits are given through the Lone Star Card. This is a plastic card that is used like a debit card.

  • Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)

    ECI helps children birth to 3 years of age with disabilities and delays in growth or learning. ECI services help children reach their full potential.

  • Family Planning Services

    Most family planning clinics offer pregnancy testing and counseling, birth control methods and counseling, tests for breast and cervical cancers and HIV testing and counseling. Ask your provider if confidential visits are available.

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

    TANF helps families with children ages 18 and younger pay for things like food, clothing, and housing. TANF benefits are given through the Lone Star Card. This is a plastic card that is used like a debit card.

  • Head Start and Early Head Start

    These programs promote healthy development in preschool children from birth to age 5. Priorities include education, family literacy, health, and childcare.

Other Programs & Services

  • Texas Workforce Commission
  • Education
  • Postpartum Depression
  • Mental Health
  • Housing
  • Child Abuse Reporting
  • HIV and STD
  • Rent Payment Assistance
  • Utility Assistance
  • Women’s Health

Dental Resources List

  • CommUnity Care Dental Clinics: MAP Dental Clinics

  • CommuniCare Health Centers (Dental)

    Hours: M-F 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

    2810 Dacy Lane Kyle, TX 7864031

    • Accepted Payers: Self-pay (sliding fees) service done at a reduced fee
    • Provides: routine dental care, extractions, cleanings, root canals, crowns, bridges dentures and partials

  • St. David's Foundation

    Qualifications:
    Must be part of the following school districts:
    Austin, Manor, Del Valle, Pflugerville, Round Rock & Hays

    • Mobile Dental Vans
    • Can ask for school nurse to assist with appointment
    • Only sees children 5 years old and up
    • No fee

  • Lone Star Circle of Care

    Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

    Georgetown (adults and all children) Round Rock (children and adolescent) Bastrop (adults and children)105

    Call the number above to make an appointment

    Cost based on income, fee for service $75-$250

    Provides: routine care, fillings, extractions, stainless steel crowns (no gold or porcelain) and partial dentures.

  • HIV/AIDS: Jack Sansing Dental Clinic

    M-Th: 8 - 5PM, F: 8-12PM

    711 W St Suite EA Austin, TX 7870536

    Sliding scale/services done at a reduced fee
    Only for people living with HIV or AIDS

  • Manos De Cristo

    Hours: M-F: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Takes walk-in for emergencies M-F: 7:30-12

    4911 Harmon Avenue Austin, TX 7875137

    Children 8 and over, adults, and seniors

    • Accepted Payers: Self-pay (sliding fees) service done at a reduced fee
    • Provides: routine dental care, extractions, cleanings, root canals, crowns, bridges, dentures and partials

  • Austin Community College (ACC) Dental Hygiene Program

    Hours: M-F: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    3401 Webberville Road, Room 8162 Austin, TX 7870251

    • Exam, x-rays and cleanings only, each appointment can take up to 3 hours
    • $49-$99 for cleanings

  • Denture Centers

  • UT Dental School — San Antonio

    Hours: M-F by appointment only

    • Dental Screening $39
    • Emergency appointment $40
    • Low cost dental treatment

Breastfeeding Success Group

Breastfeeding Success Group

Talk to your health educator today!

Join us as we learn from each other on the many ways to navigate breastfeeding obstacles. We’ll talk about the ways to feed babies, what to do about crying, colic, sleeping and breast care. Find out about community resources & how to obtain a breast pump. Come ready with your questions – we’d love to help you! For more information, call (512) 684-1744.

English Group

11AM – 12PM
First Tuesday of each month

Center for Women’s Health

2909 N IH-35
Austin, TX 78722
512.478.4939

Your Guide To Pregnancy

What to expect and how to make it memorable

We are here to help keep you and your baby healthy and happy from conception to birth and then for years after. This guide will discuss common pregnancy concerns and ways that you can stay healthy.

View Guide