Fargo, N.D. – Support for new moms is a challenge in rural areas, especially for those looking to breastfeed.
That’s why registered nurses at Sanford Health Valley City advocated and achieved certification as lactation consultants. The team will serve mothers in southeastern parts of the state – where the nearest lactation consultant is about 45 miles away.
BUILD grants, a program from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation, funded the training, certification and the equipment necessary to make this care possible.
The BUILD grant program supports solutions developed to address social determinants of health (SDoH). The goal of the BUILD grant program is to create a better future of equity and full potential for the health and well-being of all.
Sanford Health’s breastfeeding program addressed several SDoH areas including health care access and quality, economic stability and education. The lactation consultants now travel to other Sanford Health rural clinics where lactation services previously did not exist. Those locations include Oakes, Ellendale, Forman, Gwinner, LaMoure, Enderlin, Valley City and Lisbon.
Nursing Manager Sarah Tulp said she anticipates seeing 10-12 lactation consultant visits each month. In addition, moms can call as they need support – no appointment necessary.
“We recognize the barriers to care for these moms. It’s hard to bundle up your baby and drive 45 miles in the winter. Plus, some of them have other children at home. Our teams were passionate about making this care available to people in rural communities,” Tulp said.
In addition to clinic visits, the Sanford Health lactation consultants hope to support the community through education. Moving forward, the team plans to set up booths and health fairs and community events to get the word out about benefits of breastfeeding and the support systems available.
“As nurses, we want to educate our patients on the benefits of breastfeeding,” she said.
The benefits of breastfeeding are physical, emotional and psychological, according to the World Health Organization. Breast milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that protect babies from infections and illnesses, promoting optimal growth and development. Additionally, breastfeeding can strengthen the bond between mother and child, fostering emotional well-being for both.
“We love this program because it provides access to care at such a pivotal time in life. While not for everyone, for those who can, breastfeeding can provide lifelong benefits for both mother and child,” said BCBSND’s Foundation & Community Engagement Executive Director Amber Blomberg. “The BUILD grants ensure that breastfeeding support is available throughout our state.”
BUILD grants work to transform the health of rural North Dakotans. This year, the grants invested more than $45,000 into eight organizations. In addition to Sanford Health Valley City, those organizations include:
- Cooperstown Center Medical Foundation – Cooperstown: The focus of this project was to create a handicap accessible garden that is a safe environment for care residents and community to connect to nature, associated with improving physical and mental health.
- Eckert Youth Homes – Williston: In this project, Eckert Youth Homes purchased the RealCare Baby 3 Simulator and curriculum to incorporate this education into existing programming.
- House of Everyday Learning - Fargo: The focus of this project was to help alleviate the burdens that families experience driving to Fargo for pediatric screenings or therapy services on a weekly or bi-weekly frequency. The Mobile Therapy Unit (MTU) Program brings these services directly to the rural communities and decreases barriers such as transportation, cost and time away from work and school for the families that it serves.
- Langdon Prairie Health - Langdon: The Langdon community educated and provided resources to community members from different socioeconomic backgrounds to raise awareness that mental health services are available by telehealth in a private, confidential and secure setting. This program concentrated on two specific population groups, youth and farmers, to assist in treatment of depression, anxiety and traumatic events.
- Northland Health Center – Turtle Lake: “A Care Closet” provided a free resource for students and their families who are experiencing hardships: food insecurity, lack of weather-appropriate clothing, basic hygiene supplies, school supplies and more.
- Pembina County Memorial Hospital - Cavalier: This project provided an outdoor activity for the residents, staff and community volunteers at Wedgewood Manor, a skilled nursing facility in Cavalier. The Cycling with Love project includes all ages and stages of life.
- Sanford Health - Hillsboro: This project provided adaptive devices to allow those with mobility issues to get to medical appointments.
Learn more about BUILD grants at bcbsnd.com/caring-foundation.
About the BCBSND Caring Foundation
Established in 1989, the BCBSND Caring Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Over these 35 years, the Caring Foundation has worked to improve the health and well-being of North Dakotans and their communities. Through collaborations with organizations across North Dakota, it is our goal to support sustainable and innovative efforts that promote better outcomes and create lasting change.
Contact:
Melissa Richard
Director of Communications
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH DAKOTA, FARGO
952-240-3477 (mobile) | melissa.richard@bcbsnd.com | www.bcbsnd.com
