Drumondawmin Healthy Families Inc

Women living in impoverished communities in Baltimore City have some of the worst birth outcomes in the nation and even worse than in some developing countries. This dubious distinction sets into motion a potential lifetime of peril for inner-city children whose physical, social, emotional and cognitive development might be severally impacted.  The cost of poor birth outcomes can be reliably measured in lack of success in school and impaired psychological and physical health that ultimately results in lost productivity.  The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University purports that the vitality and sustainability of any society depend on the extent to which it equalizes opportunities early in life for all children to achieve their full potential and engage in responsible and productive citizenship.  Healthy child development is the foundation of economic prosperity and strong communities and begins before birth[1]

Our Work

DRU/Mondawmin Healthy Families, Inc. (DRUM) is a non-profit, community-based program designed to improve birth outcomes and the capacity for mothers of young children to promote optimal child development.  Women from four inner-city neighborhoods in Baltimore City who are pregnant or parenting young children are recruited and invited to become a part of DRUM.  Using a two-generation approach, mothers are supported to access prenatal care, learn healthy habits and positive parenting skills, and to work toward the achievement of self-identified goals that range from improving education attainment, workforce skills, asset development and economic security that leads to increased family stability and self-sufficiency.

Our Approach

Our staff of social workers, educators, family assessment workers and family support workers, provides support to both the mothers and fathers during pregnancy to promote the birth of a healthy infant, and support after the birth of their children to strengthen them as individuals and as a unit. Parents are given the benefit of referrals, resources, education and support that provides the foundation the child ultimately needs in order to grow and to thrive. Each family creates individualized goals that embody the concepts of healthy families and self-reliance. DRUM Healthy Families’ staff provide services that are a part of a well structured program built on evidenced-based practices to improve birth outcomes by providing intense, holistic and comprehensive, in-home visitation services. 

The Difference We Make

Over the past 5 years, DRUM has provided home visiting services to hundreds.  Mothers who commit to becoming a DRUM family have significantly improved birth outcomes compared to families residing in the same communities who are not a part of the program. Parents who stay in the program for four years and graduate magnify this improvement.

 

[1] National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2010).  Persistent Fear and Anxiety Can Affect Young Children’s Learning and Development: Working Paper No. 9. Retrieved from www.developingchild.harvard.edu