Use of the March of Dimes Use of the March of Dimes

Preconception Publication In Preconception Publication In

CommunityCommunity--Based ProgramsBased Programs

StorkStork’’s Nests Nest

StorkStork’’s Nests Nest——Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas

�� Incentive and Education program that is a Incentive and Education program that is a

national project of the March of Dimes and Zeta national project of the March of Dimes and Zeta

Phi Beta SororityPhi Beta Sorority

�� Lubbock StorkLubbock Stork’’s Nest opened in 2000s Nest opened in 2000

�� Pregnant women receive points for attending Pregnant women receive points for attending

prenatal appointments and receiving prenatal prenatal appointments and receiving prenatal

education through a series of classes taught at education through a series of classes taught at

the Storkthe Stork’’s Nest.s Nest.

StorkStork’’s Nests Nest——Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas

�� Pregnant women then redeem points Pregnant women then redeem points

earned for incentive items such as baby earned for incentive items such as baby

clothes, diapers, car seats, strollers, cribs, clothes, diapers, car seats, strollers, cribs,

etc.etc.

StorkStork’’s Nests Nest——Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas

�� Funding SourcesFunding Sources

�� March of Dimes Footprint Funding grantMarch of Dimes Footprint Funding grant

�� Additional foundation and corporate grantsAdditional foundation and corporate grants

�� Texas Tech University School of Nursing Baby Texas Tech University School of Nursing Baby

ShowerShower

StorkStork’’s Nests Nest——Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas

�� Provides free pregnancy testingProvides free pregnancy testing

�� Assistance in applying for MedicaidAssistance in applying for Medicaid

�� Assistance in scheduling first prenatal visit Assistance in scheduling first prenatal visit with provider of choicewith provider of choice

�� Referral to other services such as, WIC, Referral to other services such as, WIC, Parenting Cottage, addiction services, Parenting Cottage, addiction services, housing assistance, domestic violence housing assistance, domestic violence services, family planning servicesservices, family planning services

StorkStork’’s Nests Nest——Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas

Pregnant women are able to attend a series of Pregnant women are able to attend a series of

educational classes covering:educational classes covering:

�� What prenatal care is and why it is importantWhat prenatal care is and why it is important

�� What women should do as early as possible in What women should do as early as possible in

their pregnancies to take care of themselves and their pregnancies to take care of themselves and

their babiestheir babies

�� Exercise during pregnancyExercise during pregnancy

�� Stress during pregnancyStress during pregnancy

StorkStork’’s Nests Nest——Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas

StorkStork’’s Nest classess Nest classes--continuedcontinued

�� Diseases pregnant women should avoidDiseases pregnant women should avoid

�� Nutrition during pregnancyNutrition during pregnancy

�� The danger of alcohol, drugs and smokingThe danger of alcohol, drugs and smoking

�� Warning signs of preterm labor and what Warning signs of preterm labor and what to do should preterm labor occurto do should preterm labor occur

�� What happens during childbirthWhat happens during childbirth

�� Caring for your babyCaring for your baby

StorkStork’’s Nests Nest——Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas

�� Most participants enroll in StorkMost participants enroll in Stork’’s Nest s Nest

after receiving a positive pregnancy test at after receiving a positive pregnancy test at

the site.the site.

�� Some participants are referred through Some participants are referred through

their prenatal care provider.their prenatal care provider.

�� Others learn about StorkOthers learn about Stork’’s Nest by word of s Nest by word of

mouth from friends and family.mouth from friends and family.

StorkStork’’s Nests Nest——Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas

Women who test negative for pregnancy receive a Women who test negative for pregnancy receive a

packet of information including:packet of information including:

�� March of Dimes March of Dimes ““I Want My Nine MonthsI Want My Nine Months”” flyerflyer

�� March of Dimes March of Dimes ““Are You Ready For a BabyAre You Ready For a Baby””

bookletbooklet

�� March of Dimes March of Dimes ““Folic Acid Palm CardFolic Acid Palm Card””

�� March of Dimes March of Dimes ““STDSTD”” brochurebrochure

�� Referral sheet for local family planning servicesReferral sheet for local family planning services

StorkStork’’s Nests Nest——Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas

�� In 2005, 513 pregnant women enrolled in In 2005, 513 pregnant women enrolled in

the Storkthe Stork’’s Nest program.s Nest program.

�� In 2005, 488 women received In 2005, 488 women received

preconception information after having a preconception information after having a

negative pregnancy test.negative pregnancy test.

StorkStork’’s Nests Nest——Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas

�� StorkStork’’s Nest is not only a resource for pregnant s Nest is not only a resource for pregnant

women, but also provides information for women, but also provides information for

women contemplating pregnancy or at risk for women contemplating pregnancy or at risk for

an unwanted pregnancy.an unwanted pregnancy.

�� Offering free pregnancy testing is a mechanism Offering free pregnancy testing is a mechanism

to get women into prenatal care as early as to get women into prenatal care as early as

possible in their pregnancy and also provides a possible in their pregnancy and also provides a

way to get valuable information into the hands way to get valuable information into the hands

of women who may soon become pregnant.of women who may soon become pregnant.

StorkStork’’s Nests Nest——Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas

Questions?Questions?

�� Contact:Contact:

Wanda Wesson at 806Wanda Wesson at 806--762762--6730 or 6730 or

wandafor.wesson@sbcglobal.netwandafor.wesson@sbcglobal.net

OROR

Amy JohnsonAmy Johnson--Rubio at 806Rubio at 806--797797--6771 or 6771 or

ajrubio@marchofdimes.comajrubio@marchofdimes.com