CDC says Black babies are three times more likely to die before their first birthday compared to White peers; SMSF aims to help
Celebrating a child’s first birthday is not just a special milestone—it’s a powerful statement of resilience for African American families. This occasion takes on heightened significance in light of the alarming statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which show that Black babies are three times more likely to die before their first birthday compared to their White peers.
In St. Louis, the Show Me Strong Families (SMSF) initiative, a crucial program under the Parents as Teachers National Center, is actively tackling these disparities by prioritizing the health and well-being of mothers and infants in the Black community.
Headquartered in Creve Coeur, MO, Parents as Teachers builds strong communities, uplifts families, and ensures healthy, secure children by connecting parents and caregivers with trained professionals for regular, personalized home visits throughout a child’s earliest years, from pregnancy through kindergarten.
Donna Givens, SMSF’s Community Partnerships and Groups manager, asserts that their work is essential in reducing prematurity rates and enhancing maternal and infant health outcomes. SMSF provides a comprehensive suite of services, including education on safe sleep practices and vital doula support.
These doulas are not merely assistants; they are trained professionals who offer emotional, physical, and educational support. They play a significant role in improving health outcomes for mothers and their infants. They empower mothers by assisting in creating birth plans and advocating for their needs throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
The annual First Birthday group connection, led by Givens at The Heights Recreational Center in Richmond Heights, MO, fosters community engagement and celebration among families. This year’s gathering, themed “Daniel the Tiger’s Neighborhood,” exemplified the joy and togetherness that this occasion brings.
“We host this event each year to celebrate the birth of children enrolled in our program and to use the forum to provide information and support that could lead to the reduction of prematurity and maternal and infant morbidity and mortality among children in our community,” said Givens.
Many families involved with SMSF confront a myriad of challenges, such as substance use disorder, mental health issues, and domestic violence, with caregivers often being fathers or grandparents. A significant number of these young parents are navigating life in shelters or transitional housing.
Despite these obstacles, parents and caregivers’ unwavering commitment to their children’s well-being stands out. Their determination to forge a nurturing environment is crucial for promoting positive outcomes and preventing child abuse and neglect. Moreover, these connections prepare children for future learning.
With around 5,000 local teens and young adults becoming parents each year while facing substantial financial and emotional hurdles, the SMSF home visitation program is vital in providing the necessary resources and support to combat these challenges.
This initiative’s impact cannot be overstated. It has earned recognition with a Blue Ribbon designation for exceptional service delivery. Financial backing from local mental health resources allows SMSF to extend its services to needy families, particularly those in shelters.
“We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary at Show Me Strong Families, and Parents as Teachers is celebrating 40 years of strengthening families and preparing children for entry into kindergarten,” said Givens. “We couldn’t do this important work without the support of our National Center and the many local organizations that we partner with that provide additional essential services to our clients.”
Robin Lloyd (left) a veteran parent educator and certified doula with Show Me Strong Families, greets a parent and child at the First Birthday celebration.
A local family attends the first birthday celebration
A brother and his young sister attend the event. Photos by Mary Sue Gee
About Parents as Teachers:
Parents as Teachers transforms communities by nurturing thriving families and ensuring children are healthy, safe, and engaged in learning. This program matches parents and caregivers with trained professionals who conduct regular home visits during a child’s critical early years, from pregnancy through kindergarten. Backed by 40 years of research and proven outcomes, Parents as Teachers serves nearly 180,000 families across all 50 U.S. states, 115 Tribal organizations, six other countries, and one U.S. territory. The Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization in St. Louis, Missouri.