This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my family and friends and the support they have given me to be a good mom.

I have been emotionally present with my daughter and calm enough so when she’s having a particularly fussy episode, I can respond with gentleness. This is partly because I have personally made a commitment to not allow my anxiety or stress to affect her, but it’s also because I have a fantastic network of friends and family who will answer my countless questions and give me emotional support.

About a month ago, many program providers in our area and the surrounding community were able to participate in a presentation on ACES, or the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study.

This study, conducted in the mid-’90s, outlined how certain trauma experienced in childhood can lead to a number of long-term health problems. The more adverse experiences a child has, the more likely they are to suffer from depression, addiction, unintended pregnancies and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, to name a few.

You can find more information at www.acestudy.org or http://www.cdc.gov/ace/index.htm.

When it comes to ACES, prevention is key. It is so important that we support our children as they grow up and create a safer, healthier community so they have positive experiences.

This is why we are thankful to have programs like Healthy Families. Our United Way started to support their work this year. They currently serve over 90 families in Freeborn County and the need for their services continues to increase.

Recently, I asked one of the Healthy Families home providers, Paulette Beckmann, to share a story about a family they have worked with (names have been changed for confidentiality):

“We got word of Mary and gave her a call. She set up an appointment with us and we visited her at her home. Mary was pregnant and living with the father of the baby’s parents and seemed to be comfortable there.

After I did the initial visit with Mary, she was unsure if she wanted support from Healthy Families. I had visited with her during pregnancy and again visited with her when she delivered. When Emily was six weeks old, Mary decided she would try home visiting.

Mary’s child, Emily, is lucky. Her daddy is involved and does many things with Emily, who is now four months old. Emily is also very lucky to have Mary for a mom, because Mary is anxious to learn about infants and all of the things that will help Emily grow up emotionally, socially and physically healthy.

Mary and her Healthy Families home visitor are connecting very well and Mary is learning. They have made a memory box to keep Emily’s special things in. They have made some baby toys together and the home visitor has helped remind Mary of the immunizations that are due and talked to Mary about other resources in the community that could benefit Emily.

Mary is now in her own apartment and doing well. Mary looks forward to the consistent home visits she gets from her home visitor. Mary appreciates that she is there for her and does not judge her, but listens to her.

Emily is a lucky baby, she not only has her mom and dad who care very much for her, she has an additional support with the home visitor, who brings those extra positive supports to her life.”

Healthy Families

supports parents and their children and will answer questions and share parenting concerns, help families connect with resources in the community and provide developmental information.

Anyone can make a referral to Healthy Families. If you know of a woman who is pregnant or has just had a newborn and would benefit from some support, please call Healthy Families at Freeborn County Public Health, 377-5100.

The world can be a hard place, especially for our children, who are reliant on the care of others for their well-being. It is vital that we continue to reach families so all children have their basic physical and emotional needs met and are provided with opportunities to thrive.

If you are interested in getting involved and being a certified Care Home provider for our children in times of need, or a mentor for our youth, or advocate for early childhood efforts, please give us a call and we can get you connected to meaningful opportunities in our community: 373-8670.

Thank you for caring. Thank you for living united!

 

Ann Austin is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.