Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri to bring pregnancy, parenting support program to Joplin
Jan. 13—Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri announced last week that pregnancy and parenting support for expectant mothers and their families will be coming to the Joplin area.
A full-time case manager has been hired for its Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program, which works with families experiencing pregnancy to promote self-sufficiency.
Cindi Kopel, chief programs officer, said in a statement that it is a grant-funded program that allows case managers to help meet a family's needs, giving personalized attention through home visits and bringing services including pre-and post-natal education, parenting and life skills training, and referrals to clients as resources.
"Our Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program provides direct assistance to families in need, of any faith, leading to better maternal and infant health outcomes," said Ken Palermo, CEO.
Other program changes involve closing the agency's Joplin-based Purpose Home Repair.
"While challenging to traditional construction companies, higher materials and labor costs pose even greater hurdles as a social enterprise," Palermo said. "When considering available resources and our capacity to ensure the program remains viable into the future, it became apparent this change was required."
Agency construction services to serve those in need will continue at Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri through both the HERO Grant and the Senior and Developmental Disability Build Programs.
Questions about these programs can be directed to bwuerdeman@ccsomo.org.
Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri was established in 2009 as a nonprofit corporation to provide services to those of all faiths across the southernmost 39 counties in Missouri. Over the last decade, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri has grown to include six programs that help families and individuals.
