Hispanic NEST Success Story

Problem:
There were no coordinated educational classes for Spanish speaking mothers and mothers-to-be. The NEST program had attempted to reach this Spanish speaking population, but the classes were not offered in Spanish. Participants would have to bring a translator. Because of this, only two mothers were enrolled in the program but they stopped coming because sometimes their translator could not attend the classes with them.

Response:
Extension started offering the NEST classes in Spanish. In an attempt to increase the number of women that participate in the NEST program, a partnership with the coordinator of the NEST (SIEDA) was made. Women were recruited and referred from the Maternal and Child Health Clinic, from the Women, Infants and Children program and from a local church. The group meets twice a month at the Ottumwa Public Library. Classes have been offered from the FNP and Have a Healthy Baby curriculum, on topics related to maternal and infant nutrition and food safety. Future classes’ topics will include financial management and parenting.

Impact:
A total of 10 mothers and 4 support persons have been actively participating in the NEST program for the past six months. The new NEST mothers are very enthusiastic and very happy that these classes are now offered in Spanish. Participants have expressed that the activities are fun and very educational. One mother said: “This group is wonderful, not only do I learn more about how to take care of my baby on the way, but now I have new friends and a great support group for the special time that being pregnant and becoming a mother is.” Another mother stated: “The food safety lesson taught me about listeria. I have learned about what foods I can and cannot eat while being pregnant. I didn’t know about this in my previous pregnancies and I am passing along the message to other pregnant mothers.”

Contact:
Lizmelia Ortiz
Family Field Specialist
Iowa State University Extension, Wapello County
101 N Court Street
Ottumwa, IA, 52501
Phone 641-682-5491; Fax 641-682-5148
Email lizortiz@iastate.edu

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