Nurture KC

Nurture KC enthusiastically supports Senate Bill 639 and Senate Bill 698 as a critical first step in addressing the maternal health crisis that exists in Missouri, particularly for Black mothers. The legislation extends postpartum coverage in Medicaid to one year. Enacting SB 639 and SB 698 recognizes the importance of women’s health outside the narrow window of pregnancy and delivery. The bipartisan support for improving maternal health signals a universal commitment in Missouri to take action against unacceptable rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. This is a health equity issue as Black mothers experience mortality at a rate that is 4 times that of White mothers. Missouri currently ranks 42nd in the nation in maternal mortality. It is estimated that 80% of these deaths are preventable.

Click “read more” to see the full written testimony supporting these bills submitted by Tracy Russell, Executive Director, Nurture KC.

Nurture KC advocates for government legislation to improve the health of local families in KC, as it also impacts the families we serve through our Healthy Start program. The organization’s legislative priorities for 2022 include: 1) Extend Medicaid Postpartum Coverage to One Year, 2) Protect and Prioritize Immunization, and 3) Stay Involved in Emerging Issues Impacting Our Families (such as the Food Tax Elimination in Kansas and the Right to Counsel Ordinance in KC, MO). This ordinance ensures tenants facing eviction have a right to an attorney at no cost.

Do you have a passion for improving infant and maternal health in Kansas City? Please consider joining the Board of Directors at Nurture KC! The Board meets quarterly, provides strategic input for the organization, monitors finances and program performance, helps develop policies and procedures, and acts as a positive spokesperson for our mission whenever possible. To learn more and apply, access this Prospective Board of Directors Packet. We thank you for your time and consideration.

What a year! Access our December 2021 Recap to learn:
💥 How we served our Healthy Start families this year (675 participants)
💥 Why we were honored by Happy Bottoms
💥 Our Giving Tuesday fundraising results
💥 Why we’re partnering with Associated Humanity
💥 How we can improve maternal health in KS and MO

… from all of us at Nurture KC!

💗 THANK YOU to everyone who donated to our Giving Tuesday campaign! We surpassed our goal of $10,000, thanks to your generosity this holiday season. Also a big shout-out to our matching sponsors: McInnes Group, Inc. and Brown Button Estate Sales. We appreciate both of your support!

🎄 Pictured below is baby Edgar. His family participates in our Healthy Start program. Learn more at https://nurturekc.org/solutions/.

Thank you to Associated Humanity for selecting Nurture KC to be your first charity of choice – giving back 55% of net revenue from www.associatedhumanity.com to us through March of 2022! Check out their “people over profit” clothing and support Nurture KC with each purchase. (Holiday gifts, anyone?!) Associated Humanity is a local start-up collaborating with different designers and influencers to support local non-profits, like ours.

Did you miss our Executive Director, Tracy Russell, discussing the maternal health needs of Kansas with the MATCH Coalition? Along with Sharla Smith of the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Watch the replay here. It was a valuable discussion, and one worth watching! Learn more about MATCH at www.matchcoalition.us.

We’re honored to receive the 2021 Outstanding Agency Partner Award from Happy Bottoms! This partnership helps our families’ babies stay clean, happy and healthy. On hand to accept the award are our Community Health Workers from Swope Health, Rodgers Health and our main Nurture KC headquarters, along with our Executive Director, Tracy Russell, and Kelly Clay of Happy Bottoms.