MOTHER & CHILD HEALTH COALITION NL Fall 2011.indd.pdf · 2019. 11. 5. · home to a nice apartment, with blankets, clothing, diapers (thanks to Happy oBmt ot s!) nad ng hervei yt

6400 Prospect Ave., Suite 216, KCMO 64132 (816) 283-6242 phone (816) 283-0307 FAX www.mchc.net

Every child deserves a healthy start; it is the best gift a community can give its children and itself. Mother & Child Health Coalition works together with community partners and families to promote wellness and advocate excellence in health care.

MCHC IS A UNITED WAY AGENCY

F A L L 2 0 1 1 N E W S L E T T E R

MOTHER & CHILDHEALTH COALITIONA bistate catalyst for improving maternal, child and family health in the greater Kansas City community

When Mona and her husband arrived in Texas after a long and difficult trip from Iraq as refugees from the war, they had nothing. They had no extended family in the U.S. and didn’t know anyone. They had left their ailing parents back home, and were hoping to find a safe place to live and raise a family. Mona had previously lost four other babies soon after birth, probably because she had no access to prenatal care, or to the folic acid that is vital to a baby’s health. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), neither she nor her husband had a job or spoke any English. They were counting on the sponsoring organization that had brought them here, but it went out of business soon after. They came to Kansas City on a recommendation from another Iraqi family. Mona was pregnant but had little hope that this baby would survive the Kansas City weather, with no heat, and the mold in their often-flooded, bug-infested basement apartment where they had nothing but a mattress to sleep on, with no covers and no pillows. They were so depressed they were ready to go back to Iraq and face whatever their fate would bring.

Mona and her brand-new, healthy baby girl - the smile says it all!

Healthy Start = Success!

When she learned she was pregnant, Mona went to Truman Medical Center to seek medical care. The social worker there gave her the phone number for a program she thought might be able to help her - Kansas City Healthy Start (KCHS). Mona was reluctant to call, but when she finally decided to call, Mona was thrilled to find that the KCHS program could provide the support system that she needed. The KCHS team started immediately to find resources for all the things Mona and her family needed - bedding, clothing and cookware - but most of all, they were there with a human, helping hand. Safe and clean housing was secured, first through the Homeless Prevention program at Don Bosco, made

possible by federal Stimulus Funding, and then through the public housing program, which was a longer process. Baby Maryam arrived on August 6, to the cheers of the Healthy Start team assembled in the waiting room. Dad was able to take Mona and the new baby home to a nice apartment, with blankets, clothing, diapers (thanks to Happy Bottoms!) and everything they needed. They soon found that a new baby isn’t all sunshine and smiles, so the KCHS nurse family advocate paid them a visit, and taught them all about newborn care: how to swaddle, diaper and feed the baby, and sleep safely nestled in her own crib. Mona’s husband went out every day to look for work, but it was very hard to find on his own and he couldn’t see how he would support his wife and new baby. He enrolled in ESL classes at Della Lamb, and after significant struggles, is now working full time at a downtown hotel. This past

SAVE THE DATE:Friday, October 28, 2011

8:00 – 11:00 a.m.MCHC QUARTERLY MEETING

2011 Annual Legislative Program:

“The Impact of the Affordable Care Act

and the Status of Maternal and Child Health in the Bi-state Region”

Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, Town Square

4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110

PLEASE REGISTER at www.mchc.net

Continued on page 4

FALL 2011 JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MOTHER & CHILD HEALTH COALITION MEMBERSHIP ONLINE!

F A L L 2 0 1 1 N E W S L E T T E R

You may join, or renewyour membership in the Coalition

during the Quarterly meetingsor at any time on our secure Website:

http://www.mchc.net/join.htm. Individual membership is still

only $25/year.

O U R N E W A N D R E N E W I N G M E M B E R S Your valuable financial and in-kind support helps us continue our many programs and activities. Our heart-felt thanks go out

to the following new and renewing members and partners for the period of July, August and September. PLEASE NOTE: If we don’t yet have your email address, please send us a message at [email protected] so that we can stay in touch. Thanks!

PATRON LEVELNew Birth Company:Kim Cornwell, Michelle Dixon, Cathy Gordon, Ana Marie Sauer (All are new.)INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSNew (N) or Renewing (R)Carol Cowden (R), Kristen Paulson (R), Paula Westphal (N), Ryan Dowis (N), Heather Wurtz (N), Lori Carrillo (N), Sheila Roth (R), Sara Weber (N), Mary Kruger (R), Donna Jacobson (N), Laurie Arzola (R), Kimberly Spearman (N), Emily Kates (R), David Mundy (R), Shawn Willson (N), Anne Smith (N), Mary Sweat (R), Nancy Zaner (R), Stephanie Dunn (N), Debra Whiteman (R), Vicki Hanley (R), Wendy Cluskey (R).

Thanksfor

helpingus

to behealthy!

MCHC STAFF DIRECTORY

Susan McLoughlin, Executive Director Ext. 253; [email protected]

Anne Biswell, Communications Coordinator Ext. 226; [email protected]

Mary Jean Brown, Fetal Infant Mortality Review Project Coordinator - Ext. 248 [email protected]

Vacant, Immunization and Childhood Injury Prevention Coordinator

Ext. 244; [email protected]

Paul Cesare, Coalition Coordinator Ext. 239; [email protected]

Jean Craig, KC Healthy Start Project Director Ext. 225; [email protected]

Linda Hawkey, Financial and Operations Officer Ext. 224; [email protected]

Pat Martin, Clinical Nurse Family Advocate Ext. 252; [email protected]

Frieda Tresvan, Director of Education & Health Promotion - Ext. 251; [email protected]

Mildred Stevenson, Administrative Assistant Ext. 243; [email protected]

SUSTAINER LEVELResearch Medical Center:Judy Anderson, Lori Boussage, Cece Davis, Sharon Harris-Baugh, Rebecca Johnson, Corey Lyon, Kirk McCarty, Julie Wood. (All are renewing.)

BENEFACTOR LEVELUMKC Institute for Human Development:Mike Abel, Jodi Arnold, Cynthia Beckman, Carl Calkins, Kathy Fuger, Mary Ann Heryer, Vim Horn, Melissa Newkirk. (All are renewing.)

Pat Martin, KCHS Clinical Nurse Fam-ily Advocate, dem-onstrates how to swaddle newborn Maryam. This tech-nique is from the “Happiest Baby on the Block” curricu-lum Pat teaches as part of her monthly childbirth classes. (See page 3.)

During the month of September, in concert with 103 other Healthy Start projects across the country and the National Healthy Start Association, Kansas City Healthy Start (KCHS) coordinated activities to bring special attention to Infant Mortality Awareness Month.

KCHS’s awareness activities included:•Organized a proclamation ceremony

with Missouri Governor Jay Nixon;•Posted messages on Mother & Child

Health Coalition’s website and on Twitter;

•Distributed new brochures promoting Kansas City Healthy Start.

Additional activities through the care coordination team at Truman Medical Center (TMC) included: •Disseminated information on the

subject of infant mortality within various departments;

•Facilitated mini presentations on the subject of infant mortality for departments/clinics that provide direct service to prenatal/new moms;

•Utilized the TMC electronic marquee board to scroll messages about infant mortality;

•Distributed the poster “A Healthy Baby Begins with You” featuring Tonya Lewis Lee (author and producer).

KANSAS CITY HEALTHY START UPDATE

The common goal among all Healthy Start projects is to promote efforts to reduce infant mortality 365 days a year with the hope that every baby will live to celebrate their 366th day – and beyond. Under the leadership of Mother & Child Health Coalition, KCHS is committed to working tirelessly toward this goal and that the message that every child deserves a healthy start is loud and clear! Thank you for all that you do to help us realize this goal!

We’re on Twitter! Follow us at www.twitter.com/mchc_dot_netand help spread the good word about our news and activities.

FALL 2011 JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MOTHER & CHILD HEALTH COALITION MEMBERSHIP ONLINE! THREE

F A L L 2 0 1 1 N E W S L E T T E R

B u c k s f o r B u c k l e s

MAIC UPDATE: Adios, Amiga!In September, the MAIC Steeing Committee bid a fond

farewell to Deb Bumgarder, who retired after 10 years of dedi-cated service as director of the MAIC program (as well as co-ordinator of Safe Kids Metro KC). We all wish Deb the best as she enters the next phase of her life, enjoying more time in her beautiful garden, and being a doting grandmother to her ador-able grandchildren.

We hope to announce the hiring of a person to fill the position- a combined Immunization and Childhood Injury Prevention Coordinator - soon.

FREE One-Day Childbirth Class

sponsored by Kansas City Healthy Start

Open to all KC families.Held every 3rd Tuesday

10 a.m.- 4 p.m.Lunch provided!

Grace & Holy Trinity Downtown KCMO

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Call (816) 283-6242 ext. 252 or email [email protected]

For six years, State Farm Insurance has provided Bucks for Buckles to Safe Kids coalitions in Kansas. The dollar that a driver/passenger gets because they are using their seat belt doesn’t have much purchasing power, but it does remind them to always ride safely restrained. In all, $250 was distributed. This year Jenny Vargas, Candice Walker and Dwayne Walker found grateful recipients in the KU Med Center Parking lot. Two days later, Timothy Williams and Juan Ramirez of Tim’s State Farm office at 6400 State Avenue joined Safe Kids Metro KC (SKMKC) coordinator, Deb Bumgardner at the State intersection.

The percent of those using seatbelts at that location (78%) was lower than at KU (83%), but both amounts reflect an increase in the use of seat belts in Wyandotte County. SKMKC thanks those who gave out the money – AND those who earned it! Great job all.

MAIC Steering Committee members L-R: Lori Perkins, Susan Kneeskern, Anne Biswell, Deb Bumgardner, Rhonda Luther, Becky White, Danielle Thornton and Heather Keitges.

In recognition of October 5, 2011 as International Walk to School Day, the Independence Health Department partnered with Fairmount Elementary LINC Caring Communities to host their first annual Walk to School Day event. Approximately 200 children, parents, teachers, and LINC staff walked from the Fairmount Elementary playground to Fairmount Park for a healthy snack, provided by Safe Kids Metro KC, picked up some safety gear provided by Safe Kids USA and FedEx, walked around the trail, then headed back to the school. Children in the before-school LINC program made signs, noise-makers, and fun hats to wear on the walk, and some parents and teachers wore reflective vests to enhance the safety of the walking group. The

event promoted physical activity and pedestrian safety in a fun and active way for children and parents alike. We had an excellent first-year event, and appreciate all of the help and cooperation from all partners involved: Fairmount LINC Caring Communities, Fairmount Elementary School, Independence Health Department, Mother & Child Health Coalition, Safe Kids USA, Safe Kids Metro KC and FedEx. (See photo, below.)

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Wa l k t o S c h o o l D a y

Walking to learn pedestrian safety: Students, teachers, administrators and volunteers walk together on Oct. 5, International Walk to School Day,

at Fairmount Elementary in Independence, MO.

Don’t let the FLU get YOU!

Get your flu shot today! See mchc.net for a list of clinics

near you.

FALL 2011 JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MOTHER & CHILD HEALTH COALITION MEMBERSHIP ONLINE! FOUR

S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 N E W S L E T T E R

MCHC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Annette Campbell – ChairArif Ahmed– Past Chair

Michelle Malone, Chair ElectAngie Knackstedt – Secretary

Kay Connelly – TreasurerSusan McLoughlin, Ex-officio

Josie AdamsTracey Allen-Ehrhart

Mary BianchiCatherine Gordon

Sharon Harris-BaughCheryl Herzog-Arneill

Kim KimminauAnna Lambertson

Bryan LoveWilliam PankeyCorrina Roberts

Wilaiporn RojjanasriratLinda Steinke

Charron Townsend

This publication is funded byProject #1 H49 MC01449

from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau(Title V, Social Security Act),

Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.

6400 Prospect Ave., Suite 216, KCMO 64132 (816) 283-MCHC (6242) phone

(816) 283-0307 FAX

www.mchc.net

Would your agency like to display your materials

at one of our upcomingQuarterly meetings?

Please contact the office at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting date at (816) 283-MCHC (6242) ext. 251

Dear Members, First, it is just hard to believe we are entering a new season, and change is evi-dent all around us. The dry, hot summer blasts of heat have given way to shorter yet beautiful, crisp autumn days. We are entering the ‘countdown’ to a year of presidential politics and case-making for change in our country. I have gener-ally looked forward to presidential cam-paigns, yet I am already bracing for the impending hyperbole and rhetoric. I do remain hopeful that the issues most im-portant to promoting health and access to quality care for all families will find a path through the campaigns and elections. My daughter spent a good deal of the summer in Washington, DC, and, although she cherished the opportunity to engage in an internship there, she expressed gratification for leaving the confines of a region where, at present, division and arguing reign over bipar-tisanship and collaboration. Her com-ments left me wondering, what will it

take for our representatives in Congress to realize the value of working together and finding common ground with which to tread over remaining stuck-in-the-inaction gridlock imparts. Too bad our elected officials do not enjoy the ben-efits of board membership in MCHC! The board of directors of MCHC ex-perienced a grand opportunity on Friday, September 23rd, to gather for a 3-hour retreat where, with thoughtful guidance by David Renz, director of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Department of Public Affairs, the group managed to drill down and prioritize the agenda items for MCHC’s strategic plan. Like our nation’s elected officials, the Board for MCHC is a wide represen-tation of MCHC’s constituents. Unlike Washington, we realize we have nothing to lose and everything to gain by working together – that is achieving the vision of healthier children and families in Kansas City! By taking this time through fa-cilitated reflection and collaboration, we hopefully helped MCHC leaders map a plan for future growth and development. Kudos to Susan and everyone at MCHC for responsibly planning for the future and inviting input for change. It’s a great day to be an MCHC member!

Best Regards, Annette

A W O R D F R O M T H E C H A I R Annette Campbell,

BSN, RNDirector,

Score 1 for Health

2011-2012 MCHC Chairperson

“It’s a great day to be an MCHC member!”

summer the couple celebrated not one, but two momentous occasions - their daughter’s first birthday, and the birth of their second, healthy daughter. They have toys and clothes for the children, a roof over their heads and food on the table, and look forward to raising a happy, healthy family with hope for the future. Mona says, “Healthy Start’s support has meant so much to me and my family. They helped us with everything. They helped me

with baby clothing and diapers. Healthy Start helped my husband to find a job. They found a program to help us with our rent and utilities and most of all, they were there when I delivered my baby. I was so scared and do not think I would have made it without their presence.” Mona’s family truly got a Healthy Start with a little help from some friends.

Mona... cont. from page 1