Detroit health officials hope increased access to child care services and information during pregnancy will reduce premature births and decrease infant mortality, Mayor Mike Duggan said Wednesday.

Make Your Date Detroit, a partnership with the city and Wayne State University (WSU), has served more than 5,800 women since launching in 2014. The effort is adding another partner, SisterFriends Detroit, to increase its reach with prenatal care, awareness of cervical length screening and treatment, pregnancy education classes and more.

“Make Your Date is having a significant impact in Detroit,” Duggan said. ” …we must ensure that even more women gain access to the highest quality care and a strong support system to guide them through their pregnancy. That’s why we’re connecting Make Your Date with SisterFriends Detroit.”

SisterFriends provides volunteer mentors for women during pregnancy and the year after birth. It received $2 million from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, $100,000 from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and $70,000 from the Kresge Foundation for volunteer training, community outreach and professional development, according to a news release.

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