CUNA

Program Description

CUNA provides linguistically and culturally appropriate prenatal health, education and support for at risk and isolated Latina pregnant women, birth fathers and their families. Services are provided in a welcoming supportive environment. This program is an integrated partnership between The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey and Capital Health System in collaboration with Henry J. Austin Health Center and the Puerto Rican Community Day Care Center. CUNA has adopted and expanded the March of Dimes’ curriculum, Comenzando Bien. Our goal is to ensure positive birth outcomes and establish a social support network for Latino families in Mercer County.

A. Services of the Program

Bilingual Parenting Academy (BPA) – In collaboration with the Children’s Futures North Ward Parent Child Center, CUNA offers a monthly parenting group on the last Wednesday of every month. Families who have participated in CUNA as well as mothers who are actively involved with the CUNA Prenatal Education Support Group join mothers enrolled in the Children’s Futures Program to learn more about early developmental stages of the child, parenting skills and community resources.

CUNA’s Mentoring Program “Mujeres, Amigas y Apoyo” (MAYA) – CUNA’s mentoring program, known as MAYA (meaning Women, Friends and Support in English) is a unique component of the CUNA Prenatal Education Support Group Program. Women who have successfully graduated from the 35 hours of prenatal education cycle, and who express an interest in continuing with their involvement with the CUNA program are invited to serve as mentors during subsequent CUNA cycles. CUNA mentoring moms serve as additional support during classroom activities as well as outside the agency by offering their time and genuine concern for other first time mothers in a supportive and welcoming environment. CUNA’s mentoring program is completely voluntary and women involved in the program do so as part of a normal transition that takes place during and after the group cycles.

**Father Child Birth Preparation Class – A free three-hour Child Birth Education Class once a month for non-English Speaking Latino Fathers (and expectant mother) is facilitated by a certified child birth educator/lactation specialist and a father whose wife graduated from the CUNA Prenatal Health Education and Support Group Program. The father serves as a co-facilitator by sharing his experiences during his wife’s pregnancy and during labor and delivery. As with all CUNA programs, a strong cultural component is added to all activities and discussions. The co-facilitator serves as a volunteer and is under the guidance of the child birth educator (this person does not offer any medical advice). The class is open to anyone in Mercer County who is unable to attend any of our CUNA daytime programs.

CUNA’s Prenatal Health Education & Support groups – The program offers information, support and resources for pregnant mothers in regard to early stages of pregnancy, pre-natal care, nutrition, testing, breastfeeding as well as: Lamaze Classes, prenatal nutrition classes, information and community referrals, hospital orientation tours, lactation classes, interpretation and referrals, transportation and childcare, meals, gifts and donations, in-hospital advocacy services, bilingual lactation support line. The program meets twice a week for a period of 3 hours each time (total of 6 hours per week) for a period of 6 week. In total, program participants complete 12 sessions and an average of 36-40 hours of prenatal health education in a supportive and welcoming environment. Approximately 15-20 women are enrolled during each of the 6 cycles that are offered during the calendar year.

Prepared Childbirth Class Series for Spanish Speakers***

This series consists of two weekly three-hour classes to prepare the expectant Latina and her support person(s) for the labor and birth experience. It includes discussion of common discomforts of late pregnancy, labor and birth--including options and alternatives and the immediate postpartum period. Participants will view culturally and linguistically appropriate birth videos. Additionally, couples will participate in interactive activities to familiarize themselves with labor coping skills. A light meal is included. Class and all materials are in Spanish.

Breastfeeding Preparation Class for Spanish Speakers***

This two-hour class is to be taken before the birth of the baby. Discussion includes getting ready for breastfeeding, getting started, milk production, avoiding early problems, common myths related to breastfeeding, breastfeeding and pumping while working outside the home and support systems available. Taught by a lactation consultant from Capital Health’s Lactation Center. Lunch is included. Class and all materials are in Spanish.

Having Your Baby at Capital Health for Spanish Speakers***

Maternity unit orientation and tour. Program includes interactive activities related to labor and birth, a tour of labor and delivery, the newborn nursery, the postpartum unit and a special orientation to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Following the tour, lunch includes a viewing of a birth video and a question/answer session. Tour and all materials are in Spanish.

*BURP began as a pilot program in the summer of 2005. Three additional cycles (9 weeks each cycle) have been completed serving a total of 25 families and 25 infants under the age of 12 months. Additional funding is needed to continue this program on an ongoing basis. Two cycles were scheduled for the 2006-2007 fiscal year (fall & spring).

**This program is a pilot program. Two seminars were completed during the 2005-2006 fiscal year serving a total of 17 couples (a total of 34 individuals) the majority of them being first time parents. Two additional seminars are being scheduled for the 2006-2007 fiscal year (fall and spring). Additional funding is needed to continue this program on an ongoing basis.

***All Spanish language Childbirth and Parent Education Services are provided through a partnership between Capital Health and The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey. Classes are held at The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, 635 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08611. For more information about our Spanish language programs, please call (609) 695-6274.

Auxiliary and Supportive Services

• Postnatal Support Groups – Offer information, support and resources for new mothers and their infants with regard to child development, safety, nutrition, discipline, and family dynamics as well as: Health and parenting education seminars, bilingual parent academy, breastfeeding support, bilingual fun with books and music programs, postnatal nutrition classes, transportation, childcare, meals, donations and interpretation, information and referrals.
• Mother’s Nursing Room – A Service of the CUNA Program at The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey. From Monday through Friday (with the exception Holidays). From 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (breastfeeding support service). Electric Double Breast Pumps Available on site and for overnight use. Spanish and English educational materials free of charge. (Ongoing Service)
• Group Baby Showers & Donations – They serve as an additional resource for mothers who may have difficulty in acquiring baby items and resources for their baby and themselves during and after pregnancy. Sponsors, volunteers, donors and other community groups may assist in-kind contributions and supplies for group baby showers.
• Intake and Office Visits – to offer follow-up and individualized services, linking mothers and fathers to existing needed services.
• Information and Referrals – for first time mothers and families in need of additional supportive services such as counseling, food and clothing donations, utility assistance, etc.
• Marketing and Community Education – The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey contributes to a monthly column in Vision Latina and Mercer County’s Latino Enterprise magazine covering pregnancy, parenting issues, culture and family dynamics. Regular educational segments in WZBN TV25 En Español and other local Spanish magazines, news media and community presentations to the Children’s Futures center in the North Ward of Trenton are offered throughout the year.
• CUNA Newsletter (NENE) - A developmental guide in Spanish for families who graduate from the CUNA Prenatal Health Education and Support Group programs. It is also targeting Latino (Spanish-speaking families) throughout the agency and other programs such as the Children’s Futures North Ward Center clients, Bilingual Fun with Books and Music families, professional contacts throughout the community, etc. The newsletter is distributed twice a year. CUNA graduates as well as community partners write Spanish articles for the newspaper.
• Liaison services at Capital Health System – A CUNA Patient Liaison funded by Capital Health System offers interpretation, advocacy, information and support services through the Health Start Prenatal Clinic to all pregnant Latina women receiving medical care at the hospital.

Brochures:

CUNA Brochure Spanish
CUNA Brochure English
CUNA Ocean Brochure Spanish
CUNA Ocean Brochure English

For more information contact:
Maritza I. Raimundi-Petroski, MPA
Director of Family Support Services, Latino Outreach and Parenting Education Programs
609-695-6274, Ext. 160

Hilda Villanueva
Women’s Health Advocate
609-695-6274, Ext. 122

Isaira Rosario
609-695-6274, Ext. 142
Family Support Specialist