Program aids newborns, families

By SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Families are benefitting from a program called "Universal Contact" that was started in Brown County in June 1997.

Universal Contact, a part of the Families First Collaborative, focuses on newborns and their families.

Judy Mathiowetz, a Public Health Nurse, who is working in the Families First Universal Contact Position, made 287 Universal Contact home visits in Brown County in 1999. Approximately 91 percent of the people she contacts accept the visit, she said.

A home visit involves checking the baby's weight, answering any questions the mother or family may have, and providing information relating to parenting, child development and community resources. Mathiowetz also brings the baby a quilt made by volunteers, a book, and a cassette tape of Mozart's music.

"It's wonderful," said Mary Schroeder, of New Ulm, a new mother. "It's nice to have someone come to check the baby's weight and to answer questions."

Mary and and her husband Tom had their second child, Andrew, approximately two weeks ago. Katie, their daughter, is five years old.

Mathiowetz visits the hospitals in Brown County three times a week and offers new parents a free home visit usually within a week to 10 days after the baby is born.

"The program is working out really well," said Mathiowetz, "Most people are hoping it continues."

Usually Mathiowetz only makes one free visit to the home. However, if a baby is smaller than average weight or if there are other health problems, followup visits are made.

"I think Brown County is unique," said Mathiowetz, "Basically, we call it Universal Contact because it's offered to everyone. Actually Public Health, in general, is for everyone ... and everyone has needs to find resources. Sometimes I think people get the impression that Public Health is for low-income (people), which is not true. Especially with newborns, anybody can have a child with developmental delay, a chronic health problem or general parenting questions."

Mathiowetz also connects new parents to the "Follow Along Program." That program involves sending a questionnaire about the child's development to parents every four months until the child is two and then every six months until the child turns four. Parents always get the results to see if their child is developing normally.

"They just like that reassurance for their child ... and what their child should be doing at different ages," said Mathiowetz.

The first three years of a child's life are very important for baby's brain growth, Mathiowetz said. "That's why we feel it's so important to get this information to the parents."