OSSINING, N.Y., June 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Open Door Family Medical Centers, a non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center and pioneer in community-based health care, recently completed the first anniversary of its “Baby Box” pilot program and has announced that the program will be extended for a second year. Since the spring of 2017, Open Door has provided more than 400 of the popular Baby Boxes to pregnant women receiving obstetrical care and prenatal education at the organization’s health centers in Westchester and Putnam Counties. The program includes free boxes donated by the Baby Box Co., and is designed to combat infant mortality and enhance prenatal education. The Open Door provides quality health care to low-income patients, regardless of ability to pay or insurance status —serving more than 57,000 people each year and delivering nearly 500 newborns annually. Open Door is the first Federally Qualified Health Center in the New York Metro area to offer the Baby Box.
It is important to note that during the initial one-year pilot, Open Door realized that the educational aspects of the Baby Box program were potentially even more valuable to patients than the layette and material supplies inside the box.
Andrew Swiderski M.D., Pediatrician at Open Door Family Medical Centers, commented, “It has really helped to have expectant mothers get such detailed education on timely child care topics before the baby arrives. The Baby Box program gives Moms time to carefully consider issues such as immunizations, whether to circumcise, breastfeeding and safe sleeping practice - all vital interventions and decisions that require awareness by the parents to succeed.” He continued, “The orientation to Open Door leaves parents prepared in advance to know what services will be available for the new baby, and how to access them. There is so often a disconnect between services addressing the pregnancy and those focusing on the newborn. The Baby Box project is a perfect way to establish this “bridge” between the two phases - it educates, orients, and provides valuable material goods all at the same time.”
First originating in the 1930’s in Finland, where every pregnant mother to this day is entitled to a box that doubles as a bassinet and is filled with supplies for the newborn, the Baby Box phenomenon has spread in recent years to the United States.
Open Door’s Baby Box is designed to serve as a starter kit for newborns, offering a box filled with essential supplies for new mothers who might otherwise struggle to purchase the basics. The box itself includes a mattress and cotton sheet and can be used as a bassinet for newborns up to 5 to 6 months old, or weighing up to 15 pounds.
Open Door’s commitment to new mothers goes beyond layette items and supplies. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Open Door offers a pioneering model of integrated care that offers families access to behavioral health services, dental care, wellness and nutrition services, patient navigation, support and more. The Baby Box project helps parents look ahead to pediatric services and all-important oral health care for babies. At Open Door, expectant mothers are provided with a dedicated patient advocate who provides information, education and support services including guidance about nutrition and wellness, advice on coping with stress, assistance in monitoring medications, access to benefits and insurance, and help with financial planning.
Further information about the Open Door Baby Box experience, including volunteer opportunities and other ways to offer support, is available at www.opendoormedical.org
About Open Door Family Medical Centers and Foundation
Open Door Family Medical Centers provides healthcare and wellness services to individuals and families in need throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties in New York. A pioneer Federally Qualified Health Center, Open Door provides more than 300,000 patient visits annually, serving more than 57,000 individual patients who might not otherwise have access. Open Door offers integrated services and a holistic approach to building healthier communities. Primary care, dental care, behavioral health care, clinical nutrition, wellness programs and chronic disease management are the foundation of our clinical programs. For more than 45 years, Open Door has developed a proven model of cost-effective healthcare for patients in need that benefits the entire community. Open Door operates centers in Brewster, Mamaroneck, Mt. Kisco, Ossining, Port Chester, and Sleepy Hollow, New York, in addition to seven school-based health centers. Open Door is accredited by the Joint Commission and is recognized by the National Committee on Quality Assurance as a Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home. It achieves clinical results that consistently surpass national benchmarks for patient outcomes related to diabetes management and to blood pressure control among others. Learn more by calling Amy Wolfson, Chief External Relations Officer (914) 502-1416 or online at www.opendoormedical.org.
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f0ab7719-efad-452b-9d1b-2d951c0c8387