FORT SCOTT –– When little Rowdy was four months old, his mother connected with a Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas family resource specialist to help her navigate through the early days of parenthood.

That specialist is Rene Hibdon, and she was recently selected as the Universal Home Visitor of the Year award by the Kansas Maternal and Child Health. Hibdon makes home visits and has helped over 200 parents and babies get a good start.

The CHC/SEK utilizes the Universal Home Visiting program which is a product of the Kansas Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program, through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The primary goals of the program are to support healthy pregnancies, improve birth outcomes, and promote healthy infant development.

MCH Home Visiting is available to all without eligibility requirements. According to MCH the program follows a strengths-based approach which concentrates on the inherent strengths of individuals, families, and groups to aid recovery and empowerment. Services are intended to positively impact behaviors by increasing the number of people accessing early and comprehensive health care and services before, during, and after pregnancy.

In addition to providing education on health, safety, parenting, and infant development, MCH Home Visitors screen for risk factors, link families to other community resources, and help them navigate systems of care. A critical responsibility of the home visitor is to have a broad knowledge of available local services.

“Rene makes an impact in the lives of parents and their children,” CHC/SEK Patient Education and Support Manager Julie Laverack said. “We are proud to have her on our team of family resource specialists.”

Rowdy’s mother, Brooke, started working with Hibdon when she was in addiction recovery. With a compassionate approach, she supported the new mother with advice, connecting her to resources, and helped her set goals.

One goal they worked on was working independently on scheduling appointments and follow through with connections for resources. Hibdon showed her how and also went to appointments with her.

“Now she has the confidence to attend appointments without support,” she says, adding she has now set a new goal focusing on saving and using money to provide transportation and housing for her family. “Mom has shown great growth in all aspects of her life. She has stayed in her recovery program, she has great self-confidence, and she is thriving to be a better person and mother each day. She is not only accomplishing these goals for her family, but she is also accomplishing these goals for herself.”

Hibdon and the home visiting program has made an undeniable impact on families.

“When I need you, you’re there for me and my family,” the Brooke shared with Hibdon. “It doesn’t matter what the situation is, you are always willing to assist me. If I need help getting resources, you always look into it and point me in the right direction. If I need to get some things off my chest, you’re a great listener and if I need advice, you give it.”

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