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Nurture KC has officially launched our Community Consortium, an initiative that is a new component of Healthy Start, designed to address and improve barriers to maternal and infant health. Our Consortium is led by Ahkeya Howard, Community Engagement Director. Ahkeya served as a Healthy Start Community Health Worker for years and has a keen understanding of the challenges and needs of Healthy Start families.
At our inaugural meeting in July, more than 30 people attended from a range of organizations across the city with a shared goal of action to improve the circumstances of our most vulnerable. Just as important, several Healthy Start participants are also members of the consortium, bringing a viewpoint and a voice from the lived experience.
The consortium has identified two focus areas for the first year: maternal mental health and access to housing. Poor mental health is a key driver of maternal mortality in Missouri and Kansas. The consortium is exploring the inclusion of maternal mental health screening at a clinical level and how to incorporate this necessary first step in identifying a need for services. Another approach to improving mental health is adoption of paid parental leave in which parents would have a designated amount of paid time off from work as they bond with their new babies, adapt to the changes that a family brings and take care of their needs and the child’s.
Adequate and affordable housing is another fundamental issue that impacts mental and physical health and wellbeing. Kansas City has made strides with an ordinance ensuring tenants’ right to representation in eviction proceedings but this is a complex issue that demands multiple strategies. The consortium will work to identify other practical solutions to address this cornerstone of family stability.
If you are interested in joining the consortium or know of someone who may be interested, please reach out to Ahkeya. The work has just begun and we welcome new voices and insights!
Tracy Russell
Executive Director, Nurture KC
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