ExpandingAdaptingand 2020-2021 ANNUAL REPORT
On the clinical front, our Patients as Partners initiative has had much success with engaging mothers to tell their birth stories to the staff at Baltimore area hospitals in order to improve patient care. Our Dyad Care partnership at Total Health Care Clinic removes some of the barriers for moms accessing post-partum care by combining mother/baby doctor visits during the first year of the child’s life. Our comprehensive Case Management and Care Coordination remain at the heart of our work. We work with families to establish goals and identify supports and resources that will result in a healthy pregnancy, healthy delivery, and a well-child. Our hope is that all babies make it to their first birthday and beyond.
dear partners & friends
Baltimore Healthy Start knows that health starts in the community. With a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, we are working with partners to train, certify, and mentor women from the community to be doulas. The graduates will be contracted to provide Doula supportive services to Baltimore Healthy Start Families upon completion of their training. We also received funding to support our Community Action Network’s priority of improving housing for families in Baltimore City. Our Housing Truths Project will get input and implementation ideas from tenants, landlords, and developers on what we can do to make housing affordable, healthier, and safer for Baltimore families.
Who We Are A 30 year legacy of investment: Established in 1991, Baltimore Healthy Start has been investing in the health and well-being of Baltimore's families by working to reduce infant mortality and poor perinatal health outcomes by providing direct services to the most vulnerable citizens in Baltimore- pregnant and post partum women and their families, living in socially, economically and medically disadvantaged communities. We are a leader in raising awareness on how social determinants of health-access to health insurance, education, job opportunities and a safe living environmentimpact health and drive inequities in health outcomes.
With your help and the help of others who believe all infants deserve to start and stay healthy, Baltimore Healthy Start served 1,215 people last year. The Board of Directors, Leadership Team, and Staff at Baltimore Healthy Start thank you for your continued support! We understand that in order to
Last year marked the 30th Anniversary of Baltimore Healthy Start! In the face of the ongoing pandemic, we embraced the ideas of adapting and expanding this past year –two perfect words critical to our longevity at Baltimore Healthy Start. The pandemic made it necessary for us to adapt existing services for the safety of our staff and the families we serve. It also created opportunities to expand our reach and provide services we had not offered pre-pandemic. Our teams have had great success transitioning our visits, Pregnancy and Wellness groups, classes, and other programs that support healthy families to virtual platforms. With the support of various funders, we expanded our services to provide COVID-19 outreach and education and serve as a site for pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Our outreach Ambassadors, the COVID-19 Dream Team, gave information about the vaccine to over 4,000 people and assisted 522 people in getting vaccinated in our communities.
Mission Statement Baltimore Healthy Start, Inc. is committed to reducing infant mortality by utilizing a Life Course Perspective for improving the health and well-being of women and their families through the provision of comprehensive, supportive services in the Where We Are We work in communities with rates of infant mortality at least one and a half times the U.S. national average, and high rates for other adverse perinatal outcomes (e.g., low birth weight, pre-term birth, maternal morbidity and mortality), in order to address the needs of high-risk women and their families before, during, and after Baltimore Healthy Start, Inc. promotes health and wellness by providing expectant and new mothers and their families with the health care and resources they need to nurture their children. We operate out of one full-service community center and Middle East/Highlandtown Baltimore, Maryland 21205 Forest Park/Walbrook 2300 Garrison Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21216 BHS Executive Director,Lashelle Stewart, with Baltimore CityHealth Commissioner Letitia Dzirasa
12020/2021 ANNUAL REPORT
Trust plays a key role in the work we do here at Baltimore Healthy Start (BHS). This has been all the more apparent ever since we started navigating the daily sea of information, regarding COVID-19 that needs to be shared with our community. Like all other organizations and families, our day-today processes and expectations can change suddenly and frequently. In July of 2021, we geared up a COVID-19 Dream Team by hiring 10 Outreach Ambassadors to work within the community sharing important facts and Evenresources.inthe face of challenges brought on by the pandemic (shut downs, shortages, stayat-home orders, and school closings), we continue to exceed our outreach goals. This success is, to a great extent, due to the trust residents place in our neighborhood health advocates and Ourambassadors.East/West Baltimore Recruiter, Sheila Washington, has been with Baltimore Healthy Start since 1992, and she is recognized when she walks down the street. People remember her from when they were new mothers and she was enrolling them and their babies in Baltimore Healthy Start. Now, they ask her questions about testing, vaccines, and how to sign up for them. Hearing COVID-19 facts from a familiar face gives residents confidence in the information they are receiving and removes some of the fear associated with the vaccine. “I still work in the same communities – Sandtown, Winchester, Edmondson Village, Rosemont, and part of Harlem Park.” Ms. Washington shares fondly. One of the questions she is asked most frequently is “Why should get the vaccine, if I’m still going to get COVID?” Ms. Washington explains, “Because even if you get it, once you have been vaccinated, you're not going to be as sick as you would've been had you not gotten it.” In more traditional times, we respond to referrals, and our teams of two make regular home visits. The spread of COVID-19 though, meant that we had to begin offering more than our regular services – education, transportation to wellness appointments, and classes, along with our other programs. The our Covid Outreach Program
32020/2021 ANNUAL REPORT
HAVEPREGNANT?410.675.2125ABABY?WANTTOGETTHECOVID-19VACCINE? WE CAN HELP! 2020/2021 ANNUAL REPORT
OUR COVID OUTREACH CAMPAIGN
Making a difference during a difficult time Dream Team recruited from the community and began by distributing pamphlets with COVID-19 facts. Ms. Washington explains, “We are working out of hair salons and barbershops. We give out brochures, we give out masks, we give out hand sanitizers, we talk.” BHS partners with Kaiser Permanente and the Baltimore City Health Department to host pop up clinics at our Headquarters on Chester Street.
4,641 PEOPLE RECEIVED INFO ABOUT THE VACCINE
BHS also helps people find vaccine locations near them and make appointments. By year’s end, 4,641 people received information on the vaccine, 278 received vaccines on site, and 244 people were registered for the vaccine at other sites. Although, like everyone else, we hope to see an end to the pandemic very soon, we will continue this program as long as necessary.
by-the-numbers
HEARING COVID-19 FACTS FROM A FAMILIAR FACE GIVES RESIDENTS CONFIDENCE IN THE INFORMATION THEY ARE RECEIVING AND REMOVES SOME OF THE FEAR ASSOCIATED WITH THE VACCINE.
244 WERE REGISTERED FOR THE VACCINE AT OTHER SITES 278 RECEIVEDONSITEVACCINES In addition to street canvasing and doorto-door outreach in 2021, BHS launched a bus and billboard campaign to assist people with finding vaccine opportunities.
“I promote all things Healthy Start because they gave me a start; they employ from their community.”
NEESIE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED ALL THE PROGRAMS AND BEGAN SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF BHS — AT FIRST TO INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL GROUPS, AND THEN AT LOCAL CONFERENCES.
Dream Team profile
Neesie Thomas
2020-2021 DONORS We rely on our wonderful donors, and we thank them for their generosity. 30 Years of andourcommunitiesinhelpingBHSfamiliesBaltimoreispassionlegacy. originalBaltimore1991beginsasoneofthe15HealthyStartsitesacrossthecountry transportationServices,Added1993Men'sandtoclinicvisits supportbreastfeeding1994Startedtrainingandgroups Lead1999agency for Safe and Sound United SuccessCampaignWay—by6® properenrolledmood2000Perinataldisorderscreening(iedepression,anxiety)forallclientsandmakingreferrals
Abrams, Leah Adams, Nicole Allen, Jonetta Allen, Juanita Allik, Alston,BethanyJoseph W. & Lillian Annie E. Casey Foundation Antonio, Argenbright,IngridAdam S. & AssociatedAsner,LynnIlene Black Charities Bailey, Barnes,GailEugene C. & Japonica R. Barr, BenjaminBeckham,KellieStewartMarsh&BornToPraise
Our COVID-19 outreach program has been a success because we've recruited team members directly from the communities we serve – people like Neesie Thomas. Getting information from someone we know, a neighbor, a friend – increases the feeling of Neesie was one of our ten COVID-19 Dream Team Outreach Ambassadors, and she knows what it is like to be on the other side of that door when Baltimore Healthy Start (BHS) comes calling. She first learned about BHS when Miss Lillian and Miss Sheila came to her house to tell her about a program for pregnant women. “I enrolled in Healthy Start when I was three months pregnant.” Neesie attended every BHS program, including the parenting and financial literacy programs. “I felt very safe in those groups.” Neesie successfully completed all the programs and began speaking on behalf of BHS – at first to individuals and small groups, and then at local conferences. “It’s a phenomenal program and took the job to show the other mothers it’s not just a program to get free stuff.” For Neesie, it has been about learning skills, forging bonds, and giving hope to others. “I live in West Baltimore where there’s a lot of homelessness. Poverty is extremely high. This program offers the opportunity to rise above that line of poverty.” Neesie’s role as a Dream Team member entails going out into the community, educating people about COVID-19, offering them information about clinic locations, where to get walk-in shots, and places to get tested.
Berkowitz, Bernard L. Bess, Margaret B. Blackwell, John & Joyce Blaney, Lisa J. Blount, Bridget Blount, Edith G. Bond, Karen Y. Boston, Charlene C. Bosworth, Gaynes Boulware, Derrick Bronner, Yvonne L. Brown, Felecia Brown, Michelle Brown, Chance,Bunting,Burden,SusanneAngelaMaryC.Edward M. & Shirley Chesley, Breye L. Childs, Chissell,FrancineCarolyn K. Claes, Delores Clark, Coakley,SandraFrank B. Cobb, Coleman,Cohen,LeighJoelLarry G. Cook, Regina D. Cooper, Charles R. Cornish, Michael A. Cover, Randy Craig, Elizabeth E. Craig, Crockett,JesseErin L. Crooms, Rita C. Crosby, Barbara A. Dale, Field,Fastow,Farrington,Farinholt,Ervin,Downey,Dyett,Dunston,Donovan,Donovan,Dietz,Dicembre,Dennis,Denney,Day,Davis,Darling,GradyCharlesAnneS.BrendanCaraJuneElizabethJedTimothyThomasC.OdessaElizabethP.BernadetteMaryL.KathrynJoycePeterBruce&Lisa
4 2020/2021 ANNUAL REPORT 52020/2021 ANNUAL REPORT
Flowers, Jacquelyn Fraizer, Deborah Fussell, Glynis A. Gainor, Patricia A. Gardner, Tywanna Gaskins, Dana Gaskins, Geneva H. Gaskins, Gaughan,VernonDenise A. Gillard, Haskins,Hartzelius,Harrison,Harrison,Harris,Hanson,Guyer,Griffin,Green,Gordon,GoldsekerLeroyFoundationJaniceAaronCardrienneP.BernardChristineJeanM.NaomiPhilipA.IrmgardBeatriceW. Hedhund, Linda Heffern, Margaret R. Hickman, Debra Hitech Services, Inc. Holland, Angela Howard, Gwendolyn M. Hughes, Terrainia Hussein, Carlessia A. Irvine, Jacqueline J. Jackson, Elaine Jakusz, Kane,KaiserJudd,Joyner,Johnson,Johnson,Johnson,Jerkins,Jennings,Jandorf,PatriciaRossA.KatrinaSaraL.AddieE.BernadetteCharlesS.SamekaR.EdwinJ.FoundationHealthPlanErica Kantziper, Lori Kaplan, Maury B. Kaplin, Arnold J. Kaufman, Steven Keating, Joyce S. Kennedy, Ann T. Kent, Townsend Kirk, Kitchen,AvisaKevin E. Kreitner, Kimberly Krumm, Sharon K. Lane, Kimberly D. Lapides, Suzanne Lawyer, Cyrus Lee, Pamika Lee, Veris R. Leonard, Yvonne Lynn, Malson,Macht,Lubic,KathrynRuthW.AmyJuliaA. Malveaux, Floyd J. Martin, Mason-Forney,Donna Kaylei Mathis, Johnnie W. Mayden, Ruth W. McCarthy, Nicholls,NewNelson,Murphy,Mt.Moore,Modarressi,Mobley,Mitchell,Miranda,Metzger,Merrick,McMullen,McGowan-Smith,McChriston,LucilleBrendaVickieJudithBuzzAmyDavidJoyceMagdaC.&MarkC.AnneRalphCaramelBaptistChurchThomasV.AndreaHopeMinistriesEdwardJ.
6 2020/2021 ANNUAL REPORT
Novey, OmniOkeefe,Obrien,MichaelPamelaWilliamElevatorCo., Inc. Orange, Rodney A. Pakula, Lawrence C. Panitz, Caroline H. Patrick, Doristine F. Pennington, Leonard J. Phillips, Carolyn O. Pickworth, Wallace Pittman, Marshall Porter, Sarah Rothschild, Jennie Scott, Stewart,Stewart,Stemley,Squires,Sovereign,Smith,Smith,Sieglein,Shortle,Sharfstein,Seyler,ShaneVirginiaJoshuaDavid&CaroleKellyLindaTChristinaBarbaraN.BettyLashellePamelaD. Tufts, Valdes-Pierce,Tyler,Twesigye,Tuttle,JoAnnLoisM.JoyVivianB. Chelsea Walters, Ronald G. Wayman, Gloria E. Weeks, Wilson,Wilson,Williams,West,Welcome,FrancieMaryJamesBettieJaneJaniceE.
Added2002evidencedbasedchilddevelopmentcurriculum–GrowingGreatKids 2005-2008Expandedprogramtoadditionalneighborhoods reductionBuddiesInitiated2009Belly®astressprenatalcareprogram FriendlyBreastSymposium,Symposium,and2018HousingHealthFatherhoodTotalHealthFeedingAward ChildNew2019FiveyearHRSAgrant,MerckSaferBirthCitiesGrant,AmericanAcademyofPediatricsChildAdvocateAward Maryland2020StateDepartmentofEducationPromotingPositiveOutcomesforInfantsandToddlersGrant TeamCOVID-192021DreamEstablishedCOVIDOutreachgrantsfrom:CDC,KaiserPermanenteandOpenSocietyBirthHairHealthPermanentePartnership2017withKaiserforGoodGreatinitiative,ResilienceSymposiumPartneredAnniversary25th2016Yearwith Oh Taste Lactation to offer breast feeding education and support 72020/2021 ANNUAL REPORT CareBegan2003a7yearCoordinationandSupportiveEmploymentinitiativewithBaltimoreSubstanceAbuse DevelopmentInitiated2004theonsiteEarlyChildhoodprogram asAdded2011evidencedbasedHealthyFamiliesAmericaahomevisitingprogram Selected2014as a ServiceforInnovationDeliverybytheAgencyHealthcareResearchandQuality federallycommunity2015Placedhealthworkersin2qualifiedhealthcentersandtheHealthyFamiliesAmericaprogrambecameaccredited
8 2020/2021 ANNUAL REPORT 92020/2021 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Financials TOTAL REVENUE & SUPPORT 1%17%35%47%$2,466,860FEDERALSTATELOCALDONATIONS/PRIVATE 1% 47%35%17% REGINA WEBB, MA, CHES PRESIDENT TAMIRA DUNN, MS VICE PRESIDENT BRIDGET BLOUNT, MA TREASURER WHITNEY KAMIRAH SECRETARYMEMBERS Francine Childs Robert Oliver Atlas, MD Angela Burden, MA, BSN, RN Sarah Wallace Mia HeatherTerranceMatthewsLindseyRoss Our BoardOur 1,2152020/2021impact PEOPLE SERVED THROUGH BHS SERVICES 97.7% OF MOMS DID NOT SMOKE IN THEIR 3RD TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY 86.2% OF PREGNANT CLIENTS REPORTED FATHER INVOLVEMENT 100% OF MOMS HAD A REPRODUCTIVE LIFE PLAN 70.8% INITIATED BREAST FEEDING 81 PACK-N-PLAYS GIVEN OUT FOR SAFE SLEEP
610 N. Chester St. Baltimore, MD 21205 410.675.2125410.327.6181(phone)(fax) baltimorehealthystart.org
