Virginia Resource Mothers Program We cradle the future.

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Virginia Resource Mothers ProgramWe cradle
the future.
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RESOURCE MOTHERS

• Community Health Workers mentoring
• pregnant and parenting teens
• and young adults

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1985initiated in 4 sites

• 1985 to 2005
• Served over 16,000 teens and their families

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Today

• 25 contractors in 88 localities
• Serving 2,200 teens annually

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PURPOSE

• to reduce infant mortality and morbidity rates
  among infants born to young mothers
• to decrease the rate of low birth weight babies
  born to young mothers

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GOALS

• enroll early in regular prenatal care
• promote good health behaviors
• delay repeat pregnancies
• decrease school dropout rate and employment
• involve young womans family and the infants
  father in creating a safe, stable home

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Early and Regular Prenatal Care

• initiate during first trimester
  
• keep scheduled appointments

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Promote Good Health Behaviors

• Healthy nutrition for mother and baby
• Breast feeding encouraged
• Smoking cessation supported

• Avoidance of drugs and alcohol
• Up-to-date infant immunizations
• Accurate child development information
• Assess for perinatal depression

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Delay Repeat Pregnancy

• Increase spacing between this birth and future
  births
• Develop a plan for contraception, with partner
  if possible
• Keep medical appointments
• Follow-up on method selected

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Decrease School Dropouts

• Set future goals
• Identify child care, transportation and other
  needed resources
• Encourage self-sufficiency
• Connect with teachers and tutors

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Involve Family and Father

• Promote responsible involvement of infants
  father
• Encourage family support in developing a safe,
  stable home for the infant
• Promote parenting education and support groups

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Key Factors for RMP Success

• Small caseload (15) allows intensive work
• Early intervention in first trimester
• Mentoring relationship
• Home visitor is a member of the local community

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A Resource Mother...

• Calls and comes to visit
• Answers questions
• Refers to necessary community services
• Encourages youth to do their best
• Shares information and fosters family involvement

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Community Involvement

• Stork Closet
• Crisis Pantry
• Graduation Ceremonies

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VIRGINIA RESOURCE MOTHERS PROGRAM LOW BIRTH
WEIGHT RATES

• Rate of low weight births to RMP teens compared
  to rate for nonparticipants in same localities

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VIRGINIA RESOURCE MOTHERS PROGRAM School
enrollment or Employment at Exit from Program

• High percentage of RMP teens are enrolled in
  school or employed by the infants first
  birthday.

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VIRGINIA RESOURCE MOTHERSParticipating teens
delay repeat pregnancies
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For more information, contactCatherine
Bodkin, LCSW, MSHAState Coordinatorcatherine.bod
kin_at_vdh.virginia.gov804-864-7768