Fremont Health Foundation Partners With Sixpence Program To Aid Young Families

Kenzie Elsey and her daughter Violet were given a car seat and education.

When a need is identified, conversations happen. The result in this case is a partnership that’s helping young families in the Fremont community with basic needs for their newborns and toddlers.

Fremont Health Foundation and the Fremont Public Schools Sixpence program are part of this unique collaboration to provide car seats, portable cribs and diaper bags filled with essential newborn supplies. 

“Methodist Fremont Health is proud to deliver so many babies in the Dodge County area,” said Shawn Shanahan, director of Fremont Health Foundation. “A concern we were hearing was that many of the families didn’t have the appropriate car seat to get their bundle of joy home safely, as well as many of the necessary essentials needed for a newborn. Sixpence was a logical partner for this initiative, knowing the great work they have already been doing in the community.”

Since this partnership began earlier this year, families have been able to request a car seat from Methodist Fremont Health. Sixpence staff members who are certified in car seat installation will meet with the families to ensure proper seat installation before Baby comes home.

Safe sleep is another concern. Mom, Dad and Baby all need their rest. That’s where a Pack ‘n Play can assist. The portable sleeper/bassinet can be used from birth to age 2 and creates a safe place for Baby to sleep.

Diaper bags and other essentials – like diapers, wipes, pacifiers, onesies, socks and blankets – are part of the initiative as well. Sixpence has a diaper program to address ongoing needs in the community.

“We are so happy to be partnering with Fremont Health Foundation on this initiative,” said Lauren Stoklasa, program coordinator for Sixpence. “We acknowledge that being a parent isn’t easy and know that some families struggle to make ends meet. They shouldn’t have to feel like they are doing this alone. We want to help our families get off to a great start, and supporting them with these simple but important tools is a great first step.”

Sixpence, which launched in the community in 2013, is a home-visiting program that serves families with the greatest need in the Fremont community. These families have children ages 3 and younger, or they’re expecting. In addition, the agency helps provide parenting guidance and connects families with community resources. Parents can learn how to support their children’s language development and how to help guide their children’s growth during their early years and beyond.

“Addressing the social determinants of health in our community is a priority for Methodist Fremont Health – because caring for our community is what we do,” Shanahan said. “We can’t do it alone, and we are so happy to have Sixpence and Fremont Public Schools joining us in this effort. We are forever grateful for a community partner that not only witnessed the gap in our community but also developed a solution.”

Families in need of these essential items can reach out to Methodist Fremont Health or Sixpence. Many families who may benefit from the program are identified by Methodist Fremont Health as part of its OB/GYN nurse navigator program. All prenatal patients meet with staff at 20-28 weeks gestation, and appropriate needs are often identified at that time.

Golf Event Supports Expanded Medication Assistance Program

The 19th annual Fremont Health Foundation Golf Classic, held Sept. 20 at the Fremont Golf Club, raised over $40,000 to support the Medication Assistance Program at Methodist Fremont Health. 

To follow CDC guidelines for COVID-19, the event was a little different this year, with all events held outdoors to ensure the safety of all participating.

“This year was our highest attendance,” Shanahan said. “Not only were there many opportunities to give in support of the Medication Assistance Program, but one of the betting holes raised money to support our S.A.F.E. (Safe Accessibility For Everyone) program, which assists in providing patients with equipment or assistive devices that they might not be able to afford on their own.”

Established by our Methodist Fremont Health employees in rehab services, the S.A.F.E. program assists in keeping patients safe in their own homes while recovering from an injury, disease or surgery. The expense of recovery can prevent people from being able to afford to make their homes as safe as possible to prevent falls or assist in their ease of mobility. In many cases, insurance simply does not pay for such items.

“We’ve all heard stories of people opting not to fill much-needed prescriptions because they need groceries or have other bills to pay,” Shanahan said. “The Medication Assistance Program helps members of our community meet their medication needs and take them as prescribed by their local physician.”

The S.A.F.E. program joins the Medication Assistance Program as innovative ways the Foundation is making a difference in the lives of patients.” 

Sponsors for this year’s golf event included First National Bank of Omaha (presenting sponsor), Allo Communications (cart sponsor), First State Bank & Trust Company (putting green sponsor) and Sampson Construction (dinner and awards sponsor).