Within Hardin County, a disproportionate number of Kentucky families live in economically distressed communities (39% of Kentucky.) From housing to grocery store expenses, the cost of living continues to rise, and households are ill-equipped to adjust to the rising cost of living. This makes it really challenging for parents to afford an affordable home and raise children without feeling strain in their budget.

As a result of the economic strain on families our local community organization, Communicare and along with several other Cooperative Extension Programs with Hardin & LaRue County from the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University (KSU) Cooperative Extension Program collaborated to offer this program called the KY Moms MATR.   The KY Moms MATR program goal is focused on advocating for first-time moms having a healthy pregnancy by sharing research-based information on how to prevent drug and alcohol babies thru literature, community programs, and other outreach efforts. Kentucky State University cooperative extension program has partnered with Communicare over the last 3 years on this program.   This year’s program had program participation of about 105 program participants of families and children.  

So this program happens once a year within Hardin County. In order to develop more community collaborations and to combine our efforts Hardin and LaRue county extension offices have one combined Community Baby Shower in collaboration with one of the big sponsors for this program Communicare.  Each year the goal of the program is that is  provides the pregnant moms with a basket for of resources & supplies for their newborn baby totaling about $100-$150. Some of the resources are provided by Communicare thru their program KY Moms MATR. Those resources include a $25 gift card for baby supplies (pampers, safety kits for infants, etc.), a basket that is filled with resources from the community organizations and vendors, and other resources. Each vendor contributes different resources for this program. KSU’s Cooperative Extension provided baby healthcare grooming kits for the newborns.   These kits assist parents with keeping their babies nails trimmed which prevents scratches on the babies delicate skin.

Other things that were donated were items such as crocheted blankets, supplies to clean bottles, and other supplies. So other items that were included from other organizations like the local health department Lincoln Trail Behavioral Health Department, Silverleaf, KY Connect, Hardin County EMT (Ambulance Services), Living Well Agency for Substance Abuse Policy Board (Meade & Hardin county) , Goodwill Opportunity Center, and several other organizations.

This year’s theme was laundry and educating families on, “Information on Making Healthy Choices.” In order to support this educational theme every speaker spoke on a topic related to keeping the mom healthy while she is pregnant. The main topic was “Safe Sleeping positions for babies,” and “Sorting Laundry and Using Sensitive Soaps and Detergents for infant clothing”.

As a vendor table for this event, KSU Cooperative extension featured a vendor booth with information on Car Seat Safety, Picky Eaters and Promoting Healthy Eating Habits among infants and toddlers.  We also encourage parents to sign up for our newsletters about upcoming events. A great number of the program participants came to the vendor booth and received some fact sheets on Healthy Eating habits for Picky Eaters and picked up on some other fact sheets.  Lastly, this program featured a session on promoting safe sleeping habits to prevent SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).  That session was lead by a local speaker from the local health department and helps mom to lay newborn babies in the right position to prevent suffocation.  There were a lot of sessions that parents and new moms could take to learn some new parenting techniques that can assist them in implementing nurturing techniques for their newborn baby. They were able to gain a lot of information on parenting techniques, laundry considerations, and techniques to keep their baby healthy during their pregnancy until birth. Overall, this program is very essential to promoting healthy families and will continue to be a resource for our citizens in the commonwealth of Kentucky for parents in Hardin county and LaRue county.

In closing, the community at large had a tremendous support from the local community members. We are looking forward to serving another year with our next group of new parents and families!   

 Pictured Above: KSU vendor booth at the Hardin and LaRue County Community Baby Shower.

Pictured Above: Community collaborator organization leader from Communicare -KY Moms MATR (coordinator for this event) Hardin and LaRue County Community Baby shower event.

Pictured Above: Community at the Hardin and LaRue County Community Baby shower event.

Pictured Above: Community at the Hardin and LaRue County Community Baby shower event. 

Pictured Above: Photo backdrop of an inspiration shot from the Hardin and LaRue County Community Baby Shower members with onesie baby clothing’s and bibs.  This theme look was an inspirational booth for families to take pictures with their children and loved ones.

Pictured Above: Community organization director from Communicare and University of Kentucky’s Cooperative FCS extension agent-Hardin County, assist community members with registration and checking out.

Pictured Above: Families interested in vendor booth information share a look of question as they are going to ask some questions based on the gestures the Hardin and LaRue County Community Baby shower event.

Pictured Above: University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension FCS Extension Agent (LaRue County) shares some points at the Hardin and LaRue County Community Baby shower event for the presentation on “Laundry Considerations for Infants and Toddlers.”

Pictured Above: University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension FCS Extension Agent (Hardin County) shares some points at the Hardin and LaRue County Community Baby shower event for the presentation on “Laundry Considerations for Infants and Toddlers.”