Project NEST

1. Project NEST Information for Quad City Area Community Members

2. What is Project NEST? • An incentive & educational program for at-risk expectant and new mothers in Rock Island County

3. Examples of Participants • Mothers with low socioeconomic status • Mothers with limited emotional, partner or community support • Young mothers • Refugees or recent immigrants • Mothers with educational or resource obstacles • Mothers who could benefit from increased educational resources about prenatal and parenting issues • Partners are encouraged to accompany mother participants!

4. Project NEST and its Spanish language counterpart, El Nido, are administered and funded by the Junior Board of Rock Island. NEST is not affiliated with Trinity Medical Center or St. Mary’s Catholic Church

5. Referral Sources in the Community • RI County Health Department • WIC • Healthy Moms/Healthy Kids • Social service agencies and family courts • Physicians, Pediatricians, OBGYNs • Clergy • Word of mouth from former and current NEST participants • Hopefully, YOU!

6. How Do Mothers Sign Up? • Mothers who are interested in enrolling in NEST or El Nido may sign up with a JBRI member at any regularly scheduled class meeting • Participants’ physicians must complete a verification of doctor’s care form • NEST is HIPAA compliant; we protect participating mothers’ identity

7. Our Two-Pronged Approach Education & incentives for healthy behavior

8. Education • NEST classes meet regularly (calendar available at www.jbri.org) • Educational DVDs are shown or presentations are made from healthcare or educational professional volunteers in the community (see list of upcoming speakers) • New enrollees receive informational packets and may “purchase” for 100 points What to Expect When You’re Expecting or What To Expect The First Year

9. Education, Continued • Special full day Saturday programs supplement the regular curriculum • Boot camp for new dads (March 12) • Full day prepared childbirth class (May 7th) • Car seat clinic (date TBA) • Back to sleep workshop (date TBA) • Infant and child CPR (date TBA) • Informal peer support group atmosphere • Family friendly atmosphere

10. Examples of Recent NEST Class Topics • Make your own baby food • Family hearing health • Tobacco free baby & me • Parenting 101 • Early childhood educational resources • Staying germ free during the flu season • Strategies for a comfortable labor • Stress relief during the holiday season • Managing the family budget • Creating a toddler-safe home • Diet and nutrition (every other week fall through spring for English NEST) • Stimulating early language and cognitive development

11. NEST & El NidoClass Schedules & Locations • English language • Weekly at Trinity Medical Center in Rock Island, Conference Room 3 • Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 PM • Thursdays from 5:00-6:00 PM • Spanish language • 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month at St. Mary’s Church in Moline, Cafeteria • 10:00-11:00 AM • Translation services provided by volunteers from Casa Guanajunto • Bus vouchers are available for mothers with transportation needs

12. Incentives for Healthy Behavior • Points are awarded for a variety of healthy behaviors • 100 points = $1 toward baby merchandise • JBRI volunteers manage the points system • Community partners sign NEST points booklets • Points are redeemed for baby merchandise at the Rock Island K-Mart • Voucher limit= $150 • 1 voucher per phase of program (prenatal or infant) • 100 points= What to Expect book • Extra credit for bringing a partner to classes • Monthly raffle prizes (for a limited time) to encourage regular class attendance

13. Point Bearing Activities • Attend Nest classes (200-1200 points) • Prenatal, post partum, and well baby medical and lab appointments through the baby’s first birthday (100-1000 points) • Completion of coursework leading to HS graduation, GED, or college credit (variable points) • Immunization record (1000+ points) • WIC, Healthy Moms/Healthy Kids participation (100 points) • Completion of NEST paperwork (300 points) • Special events (e.g., Boot Camp for Dads= 2500 points)

14. Future Directions • Follow-up care by a visiting nurse for mothers and babies • Increasing variety of speakers and partners • Summer internship program for college students interested in public health • Expand support group dynamic of the program

15. How Can You Help NEST? • Refer mothers! • Tell other community agencies about this exciting and beneficial program • Recommend speakers and/or topics for future NEST classes • Volunteer yourself or a colleague to be a NEST speaker! • Support JBRI fundraising efforts • Annual Mardi Gras Charity Ball held every spring (in February or March)

16. Thank You to Our Collaborators! • It takes a village…. • JBRI executive board, NEST committee, volunteer members, and patrons • Guest speaker volunteers • RI County Health Department (especially Frankie!) • Casa Guanajunto • Community Foundation of the Great River Bend & Hosmanek Fund • University of Illinois County Extension nutritionists • Augustana College faculty, students, service groups, and administrators

17. Thank you for taking time to learn about this special program.

18. If you would like to volunteer to be a speaker, if you want to refer a mother to our program, or if you want other information, please contact us at:nest@jbri.org or call the NEST chair, Alli Haskill at 309-235-8786.