Now More Than Ever

Summer Newsletter

Maternal Infant Services Network

June 2020

A Message From Our Executive Director

"I can't breathe"-George Floyd's last words.

Our hearts are heavy as we have watched these recent tragic events unfold before us. The violent, senseless, preventable deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Tony McDade are an all too familiar reminder of the issues that systematically and disproportionately impact Black and under-served communities we serve.

MISN is here to do our part and to stand with the communities we serve. People of all backgrounds have a role to play in bringing about systemic sustainable change.

Together we all have a responsibility to ensure that each day is safer and more just than the days before. There is still much work to be done.

We believe in diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe Black Lives Matter.

Be well,

Giovanna

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Employee of the Quarter

Rosanny Rodriguez

Executive Assistant

Rosanny is a gem, also our "can do" Executive Assistant. She keeps the whole office organized. Right now she is focusing her attention on assisting the Fiscal Manager and managing our fundraising initiatives.

Rosanny stepped up as leader in our social media efforts and the MiSN website redesign. She is a proactive team player who willingly fills in for others and wants to make a difference.

We feel lucky to have her!

Welcome New MiSN Staff!

Jena Sweeney

Navigator Program Manager

Marcia Espinosa-Oliva

Fiscal Manager

Baby Café News

"Every time I look in the eyes of my beautiful baby, I am reminded of why MiSN is here."

Liberty Baby Café

Meet Castiel, who is 6-months old and is breastfed by his mom who attends our Baby Caf é in Liberty, New York (now being held virtually).

Baby Caf é s are a free community resource for pregnant and breastfeeding moms. At these meetings, moms have the opportunity to share their experiences, make friends, and receive support from trained professionals.

Many thanks to Linnette Vargas-Gonzalez and Stephanie Sosnowski who host our

virtual Baby Caf és .

Baby Café Coming to

Newburgh Soon!

Community Health Work Corner

Healthy Babies and Healthy Families

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are uniquely equipped to help the community cope with the challenges faced due to COVID-19. MiSN CHWs are trusted peers in your community who receive special training about women’s and infant health topics.

Pictured is a recent client holding her baby for the first time. We were all so happy to meet Juliana via photo, who reached the milestone of weighing 3 lbs.

Thank you to all of the CHW's for all of the hard work and dedication that you have put into our communities!

MiSN Has You Covered

Need Health Insurance?

The MiSN Navigator Program connects people with affordable health insurance through the New York State of Health Marketplace.

We have assisted over 145,000 individuals with their health insurance needs!

Call us now at 800-453-4666!

Click the play button to watch

Leslie Pomales-Diaz talk about her dedication to her role as Senior Navigator at MiSN

Pictured above: Luis Ocasio III, MiSN Navigator for Sullivan County and Linnette Vargas Gonzalez, MiSN Community Health Worker for Sullivan and Ulster Counties

Read our client testimonials and

see why we do what we do!

“Our Navigator was so extremely helpful in guiding us beyond the 6 month headache of trying to obtain health insurance. We finally have insurance because of their help.”

-MiSN Client, 4/2/2020

“Our Navigator was extremely helpful, professional, and accommodating. They communicated in a clear and knowledgeable way and helped me immensely. I’ll recommend your services to everyone I know, it was such a positive experience. Thanks again!”

-MiSN Client, 4/3/2020

“Thank you to our Navigator for helping me at a time when health insurance is needed more than ever. I am so grateful at how quickly they sprang into action and for their resourcefulness and real concern and empathy. Can’t thank you enough.”

-MiSN Client, 4/3/2020

“Our Navigator was extremely helpful, always responded immediately, displayed compassion, professionalism and expertise. They were knowledgeable and kind and helped us navigate a confusing, stressful situation. They were by far the best person I’ve dealt with in years of trying to navigate and resolve issues with the Marketplace.”

-MiSN Client, 4/10/2020

Racial and Ethnic Disparities Continue

There Is Still Work to Be Done

The COVID-19 virus has disproportionately affected communities of color and women of color struggling during this pandemic. The statistics of Black women dying during childbirth is still shocking.

Did you know that Black women are up to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?

It’s partly why the overall rate of pregnancy-related deaths has climbed over the past two decades, making the maternal mortality rate in the United States the worst in any industrialized country, according to a 2016 analysis published in The Lancet.

The racial disparity has persisted, even grown, for years despite frequent calls to improve access to medical care for women of color. Why is this happening? What can we do?

If you missed one of the screenings of Death by Delivery sponsored by MiSN, the Orange County Department of Health, and The Black Maternal Health Disparities Task Force, you can still watch it. Click below to watch the full documentary.

Watch Now

Would you like to get more information on the

Black Maternal Health Disparities Task Force?

Learn More

Where Healthy Futures Start

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Thank you for your support of the MiSN mission and the communities we serve. The #hvgives support we received will have a lasting impact on our programs.

We are truly grateful for you!

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