A good start: Healthy Beginnings marks seven years of supporting newborns and their families

Without fanfare, a group of specially trained nurses, social workers, family counselors and early childhood educators move throughout homes in Champaign and Vermilion counties helping at-risk families get a new baby off to the right start. In fact, more than 1,125 families and nearly 1,000 babies received support since 2017 through Healthy Beginnings, part of Community Health Initiatives at Carle Health.

Through word of mouth, families connect with them to find trusted partners who provide evidence-based guidance starting with prenatal care so the family can provide a stable, secure future for the child.

New mom, Kewanee, learned about Healthy Beginnings through her wife, who worked six years before with supportive nurse, Alexis Curtis. “We called and asked for Alexis again. We love Alexis,” Kewanee said.

Her daughter, Armonee, will turn 2 years old in January, and Kewanee could not be more grateful for the support. From insurance paperwork to toys for her child, the Healthy Beginnings nurse was there. “Knowing I have that to depend on has been everything,” Kewanee said.

One instance Kewanee recalled was frustration and guilt when her daughter had a rash and called Alexis. “I was crying and Alexis just explained how some babies are more sensitive than others.”
“She will take me from a 10 to a zero,” Kewanee said in terms of reducing her stress level.
Alexis said, “Kewanee and her family are very near and dear to my heart.”

That kind of direct connection and relationship Alexis has with Kewanee makes Healthy Beginnings successful for families challenged by a variety of issues including living conditions and income.

Healthy Beginnings families are mostly low-income families who receive direct access not only to prenatal and postpartum care for the mother and child, but also support in learning budgeting, getting education, finding employment and managing food insecurity.  The support reduces anxiety/depression, chronic conditions, neonatal intensive care use, and emergency use at the hospital. At the same time, children experience increased wellness exams, better nutrition and improved immunization status and childhood development. Services were extended to families in Vermilion and Peoria counties in 2024.

Julianna Sellett, DNP, MBA, RN, vice president of Community Health, said an area of distinction about the service is highly qualified nurses with the training to walk into a home and identify if the children or adults are suffering from a chronic condition affecting the entire family. Each full-time nurse works with 25 or more clients. They identify problems and work with the family to find a solution.

Healthy Beginnings also works to support housing for families and recently collaborated with community partners on rehabbing homes affordable to families in the service.

“Thanks to support from partners in the community, we are bringing the potential for generational change,” she said.

Categories: Culture of Quality, Community

Tags: community, Community Health, community health initiatives,