Benton County Stork's Nest

Benton County is pleased to announce the arrival of its newest service provider —The Stork’s Nest, a cooperative effort of Benton County Empowerment and Mid-Iowa Community Action’s Maternal/Child Health Program. The Stork’s Nest is an incentive program that provides the following:

	Support and encouragement to increase healthy behaviors in pregnant women
	Educational classes related to pregnancy, childbirth, infant care and parenting topics
	Encouragement to receive early and regular prenatal care
	Baby clothing, nursery supplies and equipment

 

 

 

The program was originated in Atlanta, Georgia in 1971 by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. It is a cooperative national project between the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. Nationwide, the purpose of the Nest is to reduce the number of low birth weight babies and infant deaths by encouraging mothers to keep their appointments with physicians as well as to educate parents on various topics to promote better living. The local Stork’s Nest program will also strive to strengthen families and enhance literacy skills among participants.

Stork’s Nest participants gain points for healthy behaviors, such as prenatal appointments, parenting classes, or library visits. Each of these activities has a point value. The points are used by participants to purchase baby clothing, nursery supplies and equipment. The Stork’s Nest is open to all pregnant women and children up to age two in Benton County. Enrollment and point redemption can be done at WIC clinics in Vinton and Belle Plaine. Participants do not need to be enrolled in WIC to participate in Stork’s Nest. WIC is in Vinton the second Wednesday of each month, 9:00am - 4:45pm, and in Belle Plaine the first Wednesday of each month, 9:15am - 4:30pm. Each participant receives a point card, and points are recorded by the educator, facilitator or health care provider responsible for the activity.