Women, Infants and Children program offers services, aid to county moms with new babies
FREMONT ― Chervon Crickie of Fremont is overwhelmed with the support her family has received at Sandusky County Public Health. Once she applied for the Women, Infants and Children program, she found herself in a helpful web of resources and referrals. Within that web, she became connected to Jane Molyet, a public health nurse who helped her receive a free Graco Pack ‘n Play portable crib for the baby she is expecting.
The Pack ‘n Play giveaway is part of the national Cribs for Kids program that provides safe sleep education along with cribs. Sandusky County Public Health is a Cribs for Kids partner, and Molyet is highlighting the program in October, which is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month. According to the National Institutes of Health, SIDS is “the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than one year old” and the leading cause of death in babies ages one month to one year.
“Cribs for Kids provides free cribs to families who need a safe place for their baby to sleep, and we offer support, education and webinars,” Molyet said.
WIC opens the door to assorted aid to new moms
After Crickie applied to WIC, she learned about parenting classes provided free of charge at Heartbeat-Hope Medical. At the parenting class, she learned that Molyet could provide a free crib for her baby. Then, after her baby is born, Crickie can receive a free home visit by Molyet through the Newborn Home Visit Program.
“We offer free home visits from a registered nurse after the baby is born,” Molyet said. “It’s just to check on the mom to see how she’s doing. I can weigh the baby, assess needs and make referrals to programs like WIC, Help Me Grow and food assistance.”
Molyet will check the baby’s color for signs of jaundice, look at the umbilical cord and inspect fresh circumcisions.
“Sometimes moms just need reassurance that they are OK, or, if there’s an issue, I can refer them to a doctor,” Molyet said. “I always ask if they are getting the support they need. I see a lot of single moms who don’t have support.”
While she is visiting a home, Molyet can also look for unsafe sleep practices and offer a free Pack ‘n Play if needed.
“Part of my job is to identify unsafe cribs and cribs that have been recalled. Sometimes grandparents hand down cribs, and the spindles are too far apart or the cribs are too worn down,” Molyet said.
Sometimes a family has no crib at all. Molyet is always looking for local families who need cribs, however she can find them.
Health department works with other agencies
“We’ve been doing outreach with other agencies, like the local police departments and the sheriff’s office. They’ve been trained in safe sleep and know what to identify, and they can give us referrals.”
When she meets new moms, Molyet shares information on safe sleep practices.
“A big part of what Jane does is education,” said Deb Agee, the director of nursing at Sandusky County Public Health. “She teaches safe sleep classes at Heartbeat and GLCAP and to migrant groups and even Girls Scouts, because they babysit and have younger siblings. Jane does a great job with outreach.”
Crickie is glad she connected with Molyet and the many supportive services available at the health department.
“I come from Trinidad. We are a developing country, and we don’t have this information,” Crickie said. “I’m not used to all this support. Everyone is willing to help. I’m grateful to be a beneficiary of these services.”
For information on Cribs for Kids or other programs, call Sandusky County Public Health at 419-334-6377.
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Cribs for Kids program offers free safe sleep help for Ohio babies
