Strong Beginnings

Michigan Nightlight: In your view, what makes your program innovative, effective or remarkable? 
Strong Beginnings Program Director Peggy Vander Meulen: There are a number of things. A big one is that we really listen to the community and what they need, and we base our services on the input and feedback we receive through focus groups, town hall meetings, client satisfaction surveys, and more. One example of a program change due to community input was creating ongoing therapeutic support groups for women dealing with stress, anger and depression. Another was offering educational sessions on preconception health.
 
What was the best lesson learned in the past year?
One great lesson is that we need to meet women where they are -- to listen to their needs, goals, dreams and aspirations --

One great lesson is that we need to meet women where they are -- to listen to their needs, goals, dreams and aspirations -- rather than imposing our own ideas of what they might need.

rather than imposing our own ideas of what they might need. When meeting with a new client, we explain our program and describe the services we can offer. Then we ask them what they want to accomplish, what goals they want to pursue, what their priorities are, and help them reach those goals. Examples might be getting a GED, improving parenting skills, learning better communication skills with their partner, finding decent housing -- whatever they need and value.
 
What was the hardest lesson learned in the past year?
Realizing that racial equity and social justice are uphill battles. There is a lot of resistance, even denial, to admitting and discussing that these still exist. However, I will say that I have seen a greater willingness lately to address these issues.
 
What really differentiates this program?
We have a community-wide partnership. Healthcare agencies that are typically in competition with each other have set that aside in order to come together and embrace a shared commitment to a common success. Because of this, we’re able to work on multiple levels -- not just with individual families, but with systems of care affecting overall health.
 
What are the keys to success for your program?
One key thing is employing community health workers to act as peers and role models to our clients; these workers connect

U.S. societal attitudes in general are not very supportive of breastfeeding, and African Americans have the lowest breastfeeding rates of any group in the United States.

the clients to services. For example, this is especially important in the case of mental health services. There can be barriers due to cultural stigmas about mental health care, and we make sure to approach the subject in a culturally appropriate way, while making sure the client gets the assistance they need.
 
How do disparities in breastfeeding that have persisted by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic characteristics, and geography affect the work you are doing?
U.S. societal attitudes in general are not very supportive of breastfeeding, and African Americans have the lowest breastfeeding rates of any group in the United States. Some of this is due to historical reasons, and some is due to the overlap in demographics that women in poverty and with less education are also less likely to breastfeed. There are often assumptions by hospital staff that if a woman is African American, she won’t want to breastfeed, so they automatically offer free formula. We are strong advocates for breastfeeding because of the many advantages it’s proven to provide, so we work with hospital staff to correct misinformation and biases they may have.