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Sadly, 132 infants died in Kansas and Missouri in 2018 due to unsafe sleeping conditions. This week KSHB 41 Action News talked with Nurture KC staff for an in-depth story about safe sleep practices to help prevent infant deaths.

“It’s more about what isn’t in the crib than what is — and what we want is baby in that crib, and only baby,” Tracy Russell, Executive Director of Nurture KC.

Health Start Program Director, Shannon Williams, shared the ABC’s of safe sleep for baby (Alone, Back, Crib).

See the full news segment here.

Ebony Peterson was only 22 weeks pregnant when she went into pre-term labor. After the initial shock, she was expecting a long hospital stay on bed rest. Instead, her baby was born just 2 days later. Baby Aubrey was tiny at 1 pound, 2 ounces, but mighty in overcoming the odds.

Ebony is sharing her traumatic birth story in honor of Black Maternal Health Week, which is April 11 to 17. This week of activism and education was started by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance four years ago.

“There’s power in sharing our birth experiences,” Ebony says. “It helps to learn we are not alone. We can support and learn from one another. We can spur change and, in turn, improve the health of pregnant and new moms in our minority communities.”

Click “read more” below to read this inspiring story.

Nurture KC and Walgreens are hosting 2 free COVID vaccine clinics on:

— Friday, April 9 from 1 to 4 p.m.
— Saturday, April 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Both clinics will take place at El Centro’s Academy for Children, located at 1340 S. 30th Street in Kansas City, KS. No appointment is needed and walk-ins are welcome! However, if you would like to schedule an appointment, click here or scan the below QR code with your mobile phone.

These clinics are open to Kansas residents age 18 and older. Recipients will receive the one-shot dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and will need to bring a form of ID (e.g., driver’s license) and insurance card if they have one. No one will be turned away – even if they do not have insurance.

Questions? Please email Shelby Ostrom, Program Director of Mid America Immunization Coalition, (a program of Nurture KC) at sostrom@nurturekc.org.

This week Sen. Mark Steffen advocated for legislation prohibiting the state health secretary from requiring new immunizations for children to attend school or day care. Under current law, students are required to receive certain immunizations before they attend school. The secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) can amend the list should the need arise.

We’re sharing excerpts of an article by Noah Taborda that appeared in the Kansas Reflector on why Nurture KC opposes this legislation – Senate Bill 212.

“Pediatricians and school nurses defended the decision-making process for the required vaccination list. Like proponents, they worried about politicization of the issue but instead thought the bill would only further intensify the politicization.

Shelby Ostrom, program director for the Mid America Immunization Coalition, which provides advocacy on the benefits of vaccines, said continued oversight by KDHE separate from the legislative process was vital in maintaining and improving public health in Kansas.

‘There is a rigorous process already in place, grounded in science, which best serves Kansans,’ Ostrom said. ‘This is a process that has and should continue to be separate from the political arena.’”

Click “read more” to see this entire article.

Wow! Despite a pandemic, Nurture KC actually EXPANDED services this past year. Access our 2020 Annual Report – packed with images and stats – to see how we helped families. It also includes our: Public Policy Action, Program Overviews, Organizational Finances, Communications/Outreach, Partners and Board of Directors.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate all the moms in our Healthy Start Program (which served 346 families this past year). They are creating a brighter tomorrow for their children. We are proud of all their hard work!

See our latest news in this February Update. “At Nurture KC, we fight for what’s right. We lift up our young families as they learn and grow. Then, the true beauty is, we let our families go because they are equipped for success in life,” says Executive Director, Tracy Russell.

KC-resident Maggi Pivovar shares: “Why I got the COVID-19 vaccine.” Don’t miss her unique and inspirational story, and the message she has for others! Read her STORY.