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