Canopy receives grant to improve maternal and pediatric health in Northwest Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Canopy of Northwest Arkansas will receive $75,000 from the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas to improve maternal and pediatric health in the community.

The non-profit organization will focus on moms who are refugees living in Benton and Washington County, along with new arrival moms.

Joanna Krause, executive director at Canopy of Northwest Arkansas, says they are currently working with 11 pregnant women.

According to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement , Arkansas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation, making it one of the riskiest places to have a baby.

The Natural State also has the third-highest infant mortality rate.

“That is completely unacceptable,” Krause said.

Canopy will use the money to launch a project where they will have a home visiting care coordinator who will take care of pregnant refugee moms.

“Refugees who come to the United States face additional barriers in accessing health care, language barriers, accessibility and transportation barriers, and knowledge of how to access the United States healthcare system,” Krause said, “So at Canopy, we are incredibly fortunate to have someone on our team who speaks multiple languages that these new moms speak, and she is able to guide them about the US healthcare system and ensure that they have the best possible birth outcomes, as well as everything that a new mom needs to welcome a baby pack and play, a car seat, all the equipment and gear that you need for a newborn.”

The team member in charge of this is Pascasie Tuyisenge, who currently serves as their healthcare coordinator.

“We connect pregnant women and babies with OB providers, and after they have a baby, we connect them with a pediatrician and make sure they’re receiving their immunization on time,” Tuyisenge said.

Krause says they will serve as an advocate and help overcome those challenges to ensure safe, smooth, great communication and great birth outcomes.

Tuyisenge knows how hard it is to move to a new country, especially when you’re pregnant and you don’t speak their language.

“So after talking to a couple of pregnant women, that’s when I decided to jump in and start helping,” Tuyisenge said.

Tuyisenge has been working with pregnant women for three years and she says it was a challenge finding resources for babies.

“Especially when they can be on public benefits. For example, if you have food stamps- food stamps can buy only food, but it’s not going to buy diapers for the kids.  So having this grant, it’s very amazing and it will help a lot. And I will make sure that every pregnant woman that we have and babies, they are receiving the basic needs they need and then be able to manage it,” Tuyisenge said.

Tuyisenge will visit their clients at home, schedule appointments with providers, and make sure they have transportation to get to the appointments.

“Make sure they understand how they’re going to take medication if it was prescribed and I’ll be helping them to connect to the WIC week program for nutrition. Then make sure they understand the medical system in the US, I’ll be talking to providers to make sure they understand their culture. Because in the past we have been having some pregnant women saying, ‘according to my culture, this doesn’t work,’” Tuyisenge said.

Krause says they want moms who are refugees to have the best.

“They deserve it. They deserve to have healthy births for themselves and their babies to get off to a great start. So having a group of support that has that unique cultural expertise can really help make this a smoother and healthier process for all,” Krause said.

She says having the opportunity to educate prenatal providers about working with moms with cultural and linguistic barriers will result in better care for all new moms as well.

The refugee resettlement agency is enrolling new pregnant refugee moms.

“We are welcoming nine new families over the next couple of weeks. One of them is expecting. So we’re really excited to ensure that these resources meet the needs of pregnant moms and their babies Immediately,” Krause said.

She says the grant will provide so much support for them but the community can still get involved.

“Check out our website . We have welcome kits. We have a baby care kit. So if you have newborn clothes, pacifier books, things that would help welcome a new baby or help make a mom more comfortable, we’d love to have those donations. And of course, financial support will go to support these families as well,” Krause said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.