"Promoting Healthy Beginnings"

Purpose

To increase the use of maternal and infant health services so more babies get a healthy start in life. The program seeks to reduce the incidence of birth defects, low birthweight and infant deaths by promoting educational opportunities and early consistent prenatal care.

History

Developmental and collaborative support to start The Nest of Johnson County began in February of 1993 with the help of many representatives from area organizations, institutions, agencies, community groups and businesses including: The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Mercy Hospital, ISU Extension, Women Infant Children /Child Health Clinic, March of Dimes, Visiting Nurses Association, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, United Action for Youth and Johnson County Decategorization Project. The Nest program opened its doors in September 1995 at the Mercy Hospital Medical Plaza. Fourteen years have past and we are now located at 1500 Sycamore Street in Iowa City.

The Nest is a community-base incentive and educational program designed to increase the use of maternal and infant health services so more babies get a healthy start in life. The program seeks to reduce the incidence of birth defects, low birth weight and infant deaths by promoting education and early consistent prenatal care. Pregnant women, as well as the baby’s father, living in Johnson County are referred to the Nest by health care professionals, human service providers, family and friends.

Need

Pregnant women who do not receive prenatal care are twice as likely to have a low-birthweight baby as those women who do receive adequate prenatal care. Low-birthweight is the major factor associated with the death of infants in the first four weeks of life. The estimated average medical cost for a low-birthweight baby is at least 20 to 25 times more than for a normal weight baby. Prevention efforts early in pregnancy can reduce the costs of intervention later.

Program Coordinator

Please contact Bonnie French-Watters by phone at 319-887-1209 or email us at info@nestjc.org.

Board of Directors

• Jodi Robbins, President
• Ryan Koller, Treasurer
• Nicki Markovetz, Secretary
• Marygrace Elson
• Floyd & Mitzi Evans
• Janet Frasher
• Molly Joss
• Sean McCall
• Julie Mellecker
• Jan Reighard
• Kathy Shey
• Caitlin Slessor
• Brooke Strahn-Koller
• Bonnie French-Watters, Coordinator