By Kevin Haas
Lock River Current
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Rockford – The new countywide initiative aims to improve maternal and newborn health with free home visits from public health nurses, check baby health and connect families to local resources.
Program, called Winning start Winnebagoconnect families planning to pregnancy, expect a baby, raise newborns with visiting services and resources to support healthy pregnancy, child development and family bonds.
Starting in July, all newborns and their families will be welcomed with a visit from a public health nurse.
Sandra Martell, Public Health Administrator for the Winnebago County Health Department, said: “It doesn't matter where you deliver it or where you're receiving prenatal care. If you live in Winnebago County, you'll get a home visit.”
The Winnebago County Health Department and Alignment Rockford, along with officials from the Illinois Department of Public Health and other Partner Sing Agency, announced the launch of the program on Monday, filling the Discovery Center Museum theatre.
It is funded by a $300,000 state grant as part of Gov. JB Pritzker's birth equity initiative. The grant was awarded to community-based efforts that have the potential to support populations at historically high risk of adverse birth outcomes.
The program also provides more families with access to birth support from certified Doulas, and Winnebago County Health Department is working to increase the number of certified Doulas. Scholarship Training Program.
The program here is designed to build work for other maternal, infant and early childhood partners, including Bright Point, Easter Seal, Rockford Public Schools, Early Head Start, YWCA, Lavoz Latina, and Harlem School District.
“In Winnebago County, we recognize that investing in the youngest residents and the families that raise them is fundamental to helping our community's future,” said Emily Cronicki, executive director of Alignment Rockford. “Winning a Winnebago start is something that looks like when the community first asks about their kids.”
The goal is to identify early risks, promote access to care, and provide education and support to families. Model chosen for newborn home visits, Family Connect, is international and has proven successful in other communities, said Jillisa Bondurant is the data project manager for early childhood mental health and Alignment Rockford.
Communities that implemented the model saw a 50% decrease in child emergency room visits and overnight hospital stays for babies throughout the 12 months. These visits and stays fell by 37% until age 2. According to the survey From a group of professors at Duke University. For every dollar spent on the program, the study showed that the cost savings totaled $3.17 for the hospital.
“In addition to these benefits, parents in these communities share that their homes have more material and support for infant learning and development, and there is an increased connection with community resources,” Bondurant said.
Connect | Winning Start Winnebago
Go to connect Winnebago to connect with Winnebago victory here.
To apply for the Doula Development Program Scholarship, go to GO here.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him to khaas @rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on @kevinmhaas or instagram @thekevinhaas and thread @thekevinhaas
