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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 2019)
Nurse home visiting program bridges physical, mental health care gap Program off ers additional in-home support for mom and child By Patrick Mulvihill For the Blue Mountain Eagle I t’s not easy being a new mother, especially in rural Oregon where iso- lation and remoteness can pose daily challenges and impact healthy child devel- opment. However, help is available. A new program in Grant County aims to knock down the hurdles moms face in accessing needed support. The Integrated Nurse Home Visiting Program, started in late 2018, connects moms who are participating in public health nurse home visiting programs with in-home counseling to fur- ther support mom and the child, weaving a more supportive and comforting fabric of care. How it works The initiative has begun in four counties so far: Grant, Mal- heur, Morrow and Umatilla. Moms involved in home visiting programs — including CaCoon, Babies First, Mater- nity Case Management and the Nurse Family Partnership — can participate. When certain risk factors are identifi ed, the expanded program is offered to the family. The in-home support helps families heal and grow after stressful situations. The new care member or counselor spe- cializes in how to help parents use play and regular caretak- ing activities as a way to help a child and parent feel even more connected. Connection is very important for young children, because it helps them develop a sense of themselves and learn how to control and express emotions. Local project partners include Community Counseling A 2018 project report by states EOHLA home visiting is an evi- dence-based approach to preventing and addressing a variety of issues facing children and families, particu- larly fi rst-time parents and other high-risk families. Home vis- iting programs serve families with diverse backgrounds and a variety of needs. EOHLA Execu- tive Director John stated, Adams “We’re committed photo Contributed to helping create , the ve ti ia a healthy, happy treach init u o l ca lo at a s through oy swing b rt a o , p p to o su h p et ral Eastern Oregon, s can g m. In the gon Behavio New mother iting Progra re is O V where new moms e er m at o re H urse by G supported Integrated N m ra have access to g ro p s lnes another wel needed resources and sup- Health, Inc. port, and babies and toddlers Solutions, the Grant A serious need have a strong, healthy start.” Among the litany of poten- EOHLA initiated a pro- County Health Department, Eastern Oregon Healthy Living tial struggles related to raising cess to bring together part- Alliance and Greater Oregon babies, maternal depression is ners throughout the four coun- particularly concerning — and ties to develop the program, Behavioral Health, Inc. including a yearlong learn- “The project helps bridge local data refl ects that. Over 40 percent of moth- ing collaborative to support its the gap between physical and mental health care,” said ers experience depression implementation. Thad Labhart, clinical direc- during pregnancy and within How to learn more tor at Community Counseling three months following preg- The pilot program invites Solutions. “The warm hand- nancy, according to the 2017 off between nurse and men- Pregnancy Risk and Monitor- parents, families and commu- tal health clinician helps with ing Survey conducted in East- nity members to learn more patient retention, and the ern Oregon Coordinated Care about available services. Please call Jessica Wine- in-home therapy allows us to Organization counties. That’s why the home visit- gar at the Grant County Health access parents and caregivers that need assistance but might ing program offers a chance to Department or Thad Labhart at not otherwise come into the engage community members in Community Counseling Solu- tions, 541-575-1466, for more a supportive, comforting way. offi ce for it.” “We’re honored to support information. Visit eohla.org for Some perceptions and mis- conceptions tied to receiving this program,” said GOBHI details. Patrick Mulvihill is the Director of Child and Fam- help can be harmful. Labhart explained, “Men- ily Systems Jeanne McCarty. communications coordina- tal health stigma is a real issue “All moms could use this kind tor for Greater Oregon Behav- and is highlighted in a small of support, so it makes sense ioral Health, Inc. The Eastern town where folks know their bringing help to the home, Oregon Healthy Living Alli- neighbors. This program helps rather than requiring everyone ance also contributed to this article. to travel to a clinic.” reduce stigma too.” BLUEMOUNTAINEAGLE.COM / 21
