May 2018 - Like to run or walk to support new families?
On Saturday, May 19th, United Way and other community partners are sponsoring a 5k Diaper Dash run/walk to support the Nurse Family Partnership. The cost to participate is one pack of diapers and the first 100 participants receive a free t-shirt to show support.
“Indiana has one of the highest occurrences of infant mortality in the country. It’s ranked 44th,” said Amy Meeks, supervisor for the new Nurse Family Partnership program at IU Health that opened in February. “Out of 26 industrialized countries, the US is at the bottom of the list.”
The Nurse Family Partnership aims to address this by pairing a first time, low income mother-to-be with a nurse that works one-on-one with her throughout her pregnancy and for the first two years of her child’s life.
Not only is the client provided with healthcare resources for her and the baby, but also with information to strengthen other aspects of their lives.
“Our goal is to reduce infant mortality, but we’re more than that. We see the Partnership as a program to break the cycle of poverty,” said Amy. “We’re working with United Way and community partners to provide information on financial literacy as well as safety items and books for the child.”