HOSPITAL'S NEW PROGRAM AIMED AT IMPROVING SELF-SUFFICIENCY

It isn't unusual for a hospital program to have improved health as its goal. But a new program at Southeast Missouri Hospital also is trying to improve economic self-sufficiency.

Southeast on Monday received a $128,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Health to implement a prenatal and early childhood nurse home visitation program.

The pilot program, one of only two in the state, targets low-income, first-time mothers and their infants until age 2, said Karen Hendrickson, an assistant administrator at the hospital. The program has as its goals: n Improved pregnancy outcomes by helping women practice sound health-related behaviors, including decreasing the use of cigarettes, alcohol and illegal drugs and by improving nutrition.n Improved child health and development by helping parents provide more responsible and competent care for their children.n Improved family economic self-sufficiency by helping parents develop a vision for their own future, plan future pregnancies, continue their education and find jobs."The idea behind the program," Hendrickson said, "is to help these first-time mothers and their children get off to a good start. If they do, they will be less at risk for future government support programs."In the program, nurses become involved in the lives of participants, who enter the program before the 28th week of pregnancy. The nurses make regular home visits with a strong emphasis on education, Hendrickson said.

The first thing the nurses will do is emphasize the importance of prenatal care, showing clients how to access the health care system. Nurses also will work on sound health behaviors during pregnancy, including reducing cigarettes, alcohol and drug use and increasing better behaviors such as fitness and healthy eating, Hendrickson said.

Looking toward the baby's birth, nurses will work with mothers on parenting skills. And looking to the future, they will help these mothers make better choices, emphasizing the importance of education, job stability and family planning, Hendrickson said. "We believe this will help them grow into better citizens."The prenatal and early childhood nurse home visitation program will serve 50 family units and is renewable for up to two years. If it is renewed through 2002, it would funnel $384,000 into the program.

Hendrickson said referrals of families for the program will come from a number of community sources, including the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, East Missouri Action Agency, University Center for Health and Counseling and Southeast Missouri Hospital's Childbirth Preparation Classes.

The grant program uses a model developed by Dr. David Olds at the Kempe Prevention Research Center for Family and Child Health of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Olds' program has posted positive results in a number of communities.