NICU Awareness Month: Support Close to Home for Okeechobee Families

September is NICU Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the strength of babies and families who experience a NICU stay and the dedicated professionals who support them along the way.

Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) provide specialized care for newborns who may be born prematurely or who may benefit from additional medical care and monitoring after birth. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 1 in 10 of babies born in the U.S. are admitted to the NICU, and the rate his risen steadily since 2016.

Bringing a baby home from the NICU is an important milestone for families, but it can come with uncertainty as they adjust to new routines and, in some cases, learn to provide specialized care to their baby at home. 

In rural communities like Okeechobee County where access to specialized obstetric and neonatal care may be limited, local support can make a meaningful difference for families after a NICU stay. Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition helps bridge that gap by connecting families to education, referrals, home visits, doula support, and community resources close to home.

Through free, voluntary programs, the Coalition connects families with personalized education, community resources, labor and postpartum doula services, and ongoing encouragement from pregnancy through a child's third birthday.

Through our Home Visitation Program, families transitioning home after a NICU stay can receive individualized support in the comfort of their own homes. Our certified Home Visitors provide guidance on infant development, safe sleep, feeding, family wellness, and other topics to help families confidently care for their growing baby.

“When a family brings a baby home from the hospital, and especially the NICU, they should not have to navigate that transition alone,” says Andrea Medellin, Executive Director of Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition. “The Coalition helps families connect to the support they deserve, so they can feel more confident caring for their baby at home.”

Expecting a baby or raising a young child in Okeechobee County? Contact the Coalition to learn more about family support services: https://okeehealthystart.wixsite.com/okeehealthystart/contact