[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5285]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF NURSES FOR NEWBORNS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSS CARNAHAN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2012

  Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Nurses For 
Newborns Organization, as they celebrate their 20th anniversary.
  Since 1992, Nurses For Newborns has served our most vulnerable 
citizens-newborn babies. As a nurse home visiting agency, volunteers 
help provide a safety net for families most at risk to help prevent 
infant mortality, child abuse, and neglect through home based programs 
that provide education, healthcare, and positive parenting skills. 
Services also include programs for teen moms and moms that are mentally 
and physically challenged, as well as referrals to medical, social or 
government services.
  Nurses visiting new mothers for whom poverty is the primary risk 
factor provide maternal depression, risk for domestic violence and 
child abuse and neglect screenings in the home. ``Medically fragile'' 
babies--those born prematurely, diagnosed with Down Syndrome or other 
genetic disorders, or who have been exposed to drugs or alcohol are 
afforded extra special care by volunteer nurses.
  Moms with intellectual or physical disabilities who need assistance 
with routine tasks like formula preparation and feeding; administration 
of medications or managing appointment schedules will receive support 
from Nurses For Newborns with more frequent home visits.
  Our citizens have rallied around this worthy organization. Churches, 
school groups, and businesses, and community members routinely donate 
clothes, toys, diapers, blankets, car seats, baby beds, and formula to 
the Nurses For Newborns organization, for families in need.
  Evidence based outcomes of the hard work of Nurses For Newborns staff 
and volunteers are impressive. Ninety-nine percent of babies whose 
parents are enrolled in the program do not suffer from abuse or 
neglect; 89 percent are current with immunization schedule; 99 percent 
have established a medical home for their babies, and 99 percent are 
not unnecessarily hospitalized.
  I thank Chief Executive Officer Melinda Ohlemiller, her staff, and 
all of the volunteers who have made Nurses For Newborns the effective 
and vitally important organization that it is today. Because of their 
compassion and hard work, all St. Louis area babies can have the best 
possible start and the brightest possible future.

                          ____________________