July 2022 Update

Doulas. What are they and why is Nurture KC so invested in providing this service to our Healthy Start families?

Doulas are non-clinical birth workers, supporting pregnant women through pregnancy, labor and delivery and postpartum. Doulas help mothers define a birth plan, attend the birth, and provide follow up that can include breastfeeding education, safe sleep training and the importance of maintaining care for mom and baby. Most importantly, community doulas reflect the women they are supporting, often serving as a bridge within a health care system that may not be listening to mothers. Much like our Healthy Start program, doula services combine one on one relationship/support and data-based best practices. Doulas can lower the occurrence of pre-term birth and c-sections, improving health outcomes for mothers and babies.

Nurture KC will be offering doula services to 25 of our Healthy Start families, thanks to funding provided by Health Forward Foundation. One of our two providers is Spanish-speaking, removing the language barrier between patient and provider. As we initiate this project, our goal is to develop a best practices model through the next year, expanding doula services to more Healthy Start moms in the future. This is a remarkable opportunity to positively impact the birth experience for women who often face barriers. We can’t wait to offer this benefit as a first step in leveling the playing field for underserved moms in Kansas City!

Tracy Russell

Executive Director, Nurture KC

Nurture KC named to Impact 100

Big news! Nurture KC is proud to be an inaugural Impact 100 organization by the United Way of Greater Kansas City. 

United Way launched Impact 100 to provide funding to 100 organizations addressing vital health and human service needs in our community. Nurture KC will use the funding to continue to improve maternal and infant health in Kansas City.

"This grant will help the moms and babies in our Healthy Start program. It will go right to the heart of where it's needed most," says Tracy Russell, Executive Director, Nurture KC. "We are honored to be named to United Way's Impact 100."  

From the United Way:

Every Impact 100 organization maintains a high bar of organizational accountability and effectiveness in terms of finances, governance and impact in the community. Our rubric included a variety of factors, and ultimately led to this initial Impact 100 being very diverse – in terms of geographic regions served, organizations led by people of color, focus areas and more. This year’s impact 100 organizations cover the following domains: child welfare, healthcare access, food security, housing and financial stability, positive youth development and early childhood development. 

To learn more, go to unitedwaygkc.org/impact-100.

Our Community Health Workers make the difference

Nurture KC shared insights at last week's Maternal Health Webinar hosted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). What a huge turnout!

The take-away shared by Shannon Williams, Healthy Start Program Director, and Tracy Russell, Executive Director -- Our Healthy Start program improves the health of families through our Community Health Worker (CHW) model. Each family has a dedicated CHW who have a bond with our moms that is unbreakable and makes a positive impact. This connection helps our moms overcome barriers and navigate life.

JOB OPENING: Community Health Worker

Join the Nurture KC team! We are looking for a Community Health Worker to support families in our Healthy Start program.

• See the job description and learn how to apply here.
• Learn more about Healthy Start at nurturekc.org/solutions.

COVID Vaccine Updates

The Mid America Immunization Coalition (MAIC) co-sponsored the Healthy Kids Carnival on July 13 at Whitemore Park, located at 1444 Southwest Blvd. There was a mobile Covid Vaccine Clinic, games for kids and give-aways for back to school. The event was held in partnership with El Centro, Walgreens and Rosedale Development Association.

In other news, young children, ages 5 months to 5 years, are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. To learn more and access additional credible resources, go to nurturekc.org/covid-vaccines-under-age-5.