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Jackie and Tracy remember and honor all the families they\u2019ve worked with: a young woman who aged out of foster care and decorated her new home in pink, the grandmother raising her school-aged grandchildren who got to sleep in her own bed for the first time since getting custody of the kids, and everyone in between.<\/p>\n
When Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) learned about the Green Chair Project\u2019s efforts, they approached the organization with an idea: What if we could team up to provide cribs to pregnant members in need?<\/p>\n
\u201cBlue Cross NC was interested in the cribs,\u201d Jackie said, \u201cand then once we got to talking, we thought, \u2018Well, gosh, if they need a crib, do they need a car seat? Do they have the very basic supplies, like a thermometer?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Together, the Green Chair Project and Blue Cross NC launched a pilot program to provide eligible pregnant Blue Cross NC members with all the necessities for their new baby. In addition to a crib and car seat, each recipient is supplied with diapers and wipes, an infant health care kit, a sleep sack and onesie, a pacifier, bottles, safe sleep education information, and a book for their little one.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of us take these things for granted, but we hear every day about moms who don\u2019t have access to just go out and buy a crib for their baby,\u201d Jackie said. \u201cWe believe this program is going to have huge health benefits and that it will save children\u2019s lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each crib is also equipped with safe sleep instructions to help new moms keep their infants safe in their bassinets and cribs.<\/p>\n
In addition to the new baby bundles, members are offered the option to enroll in Blue Cross NC\u2019s care management program for six months of postpartum support as they adjust to life as new parents. The goal is to set up both mom and baby for their best health as the child grows.<\/p>\n
\u201cSleep quality affects children\u2019s social and emotional well-being, as well as their attendance and performance in school,\u201d Jackie said. \u201cSleeping on the floor is never going to be the quality of sleep that a growing child needs to be able to thrive. A bed matters.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n